[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 21621-21622]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              ELEPHANT APPRECIATION DAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM H. PUTNAM

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 28, 2005

  Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw the House of 
Representative's attention to September 22 as Elephant Appreciation 
Day, a day designated to pay tribute to one of the most iconic members 
of the animal kingdom.
  Elephants have always generated a special and unique affection from 
young and old alike. One need only ask the millions of Americans who 
visit zoos and circuses each year to learn that for most, the elephants 
are by far the biggest attraction, both figuratively and literally.
  While we admire their strength, we also recognize their vulnerability 
as highly endangered species, challenged by fragmented habitats and 
scarce resources in their natural range. Asian elephants, in 
particular, have had a long, rich history living and working with 
humans, however, today there are fewer than 35,000 remaining in the 
world. Although ivory poaching is a factor in Asia, the primary threat 
to Asian elephants is the loss of habitat and the resulting conflicts 
with an ever-expanding human population. Most experts agree that the 
future survival of this species relies on several factors: habitat 
preservation, public conservation education and successful captive 
breeding.
  Today I would like to talk about one of the success stories in the 
fight to save the Asian elephant--one which takes place right in my 
backyard in Polk County, FL--home to the largest and most genetically 
diverse population of Asian elephants in North America.
  This year marks the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Ringling 
Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation or CEC. The 
Ringling Bros. CEC is a state of the art facility dedicated to the 
research, reproduction and retirement of Asian elephants and reflects 
the commitment and stewardship of Ringling Bros. and the Feld family to 
the future survival of this magnificent species.
  Located on over 200 acres of central Florida wilderness, the Ringling 
Bros. CEC is home to dozens of Asian elephants, as well as the most 
successful breeding program outside of Asia. With 18 young elephants 
born in the past decade, the Ringling Bros. program accounts for over 
40 percent of Asian elephant births in North America during this same 
time period.
  In addition, the CEC is a focal point for researchers from around the 
world who come for the unique opportunity to study elephant 
reproductive and behavioral science in a hands-on setting. Information 
gleaned from our Florida herd is applied to wild and managed 
populations in Asia in an effort to promote better conservation, 
preservation and husbandry.
  Ringling Bros.'s commitment to conservation and the future of this 
beloved circus icon goes

[[Page 21622]]

beyond its work at the CEC. Ringling Bros. is also committed to 
educating its patrons about the challenges facing Asian elephants in 
the wild and the need to support conservation efforts. In addition, 
Ringling Bros. is an active member of the International Elephant 
Foundation, providing financial support and technical, hands on 
expertise. Ringling Bros.'s elephant managers and veterinarians have 
participated in workshops and symposia in Thailand, India and Sumatra 
and have worked side by side with their Asian counterparts in elephant 
camps and wildlife parks.
  According to Jack Hanna, director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, ``[a] 
concerted effort to save the Asian elephant is imperative. Zoos are 
doing their best with the resources they have, but most can't afford to 
maintain a large breeding group of elephants. The Ringling Bros. and 
Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation is dedicated to saving 
the Asian elephant and has both the resources and the commitment to 
succeed.''
  Thanks to this commitment, Elephant Appreciation Day of 2005 finds 
the fate of the world's Asian elephants a little more secure. I urge my 
colleagues to continue their efforts in support of this trend through 
continued funding for the Asian and African Elephant Conservation Acts.
  I want to congratulate Kenneth Feld and Ringling Bros. on the 
occasion of the 10 anniversary of the Center for Elephant Conservation 
and I invite my colleagues to come and visit this unique and inspiring 
facility.

                          ____________________