DEBATE? A NEW LAWSUIT AGAINST THE PITTSBURGH ZOO AND AQUARIUM, AN ANIMAL RIGHTS GROUP, IS DEMANDING THE RELEASE OF ITS ELEPHANTS. THE NONHUMAN RIGHTS PROJECT ALLEGES THE ELEPHANT SPACE IS, QUOTE, GROSSLY INADEQUATE AND SAYS EXPERTS HAVE NOTICED UNUSUAL BEHAVIOR FROM THE ANIMALS. THE ZOO TELLS US THEY WILL COMMENT ON THE LAWSUIT AT A LATER TIME. LAST WEEK, THE ZOO ANNOUNCED THAT TWO OF ITS ELEPHANTS WOULD BE TRANSFERRED TO THE ZOO’S CONSERVATION CENTER IN SOMERSET COUNTY. ZOO OFFICIALS TOLD US THE MOVE WAS FOR IMPROVED DYNAMICS AND BREEDING. THE ANIMAL RIGHTS GROUP ALSO SAYS IT PLANS T
Pittsburgh Zoo faces lawsuit over transfer of elephants to conservation center
The National Human Rights Project has filed a lawsuit against the Pittsburgh Zoo, challenging the transfer of elephants Victoria and Zuri to an international conservation center.
Updated: 5:11 PM EST Dec 10, 2025
The National Human Rights Project (NHRP) has filed a lawsuit against the Pittsburgh Zoo after elephants Victoria and Zuri were transferred in October to an international conservation center where, according to the lawsuit, elephants are forcibly bred.PREVIOUS VIDEO: Pittsburgh Zoo sued by animal-rights group, suit claims ‘grossly inadequate’ conditions”The end goal of our lawsuits is to have our clients released and transferred to an accredited or, in other cases, a chimpanzee sanctuary,” Jake Davis, the senior staff attorney at the NHRP told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 Wednesday. With support from elephant cognition and behavior experts, the NHRP is asking the Court of Common Pleas to issue an order to show cause, which would require the Pittsburgh Zoo to justify its imprisonment of Victoria and Zuri in a habeas corpus hearing.In response, the Pittsburgh Zoo stated, “As with all Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited members, animal care and well-being is the hallmark of Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, and the elephants there are thriving under the compassionate care of their dedicated and expert professional staff.”The NHRP emphasized that the lawsuit is not an attack on the zookeepers. “These lawsuits are not an attack on zookeepers; we’re not challenging the method of care and the consideration that keepers take into making these lives as manageable as possible. This is an attack on the industry that is confining animals for profit,” said Davis.The NHRP is currently in a waiting period before any further action can be taken.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
PITTSBURGH —
The National Human Rights Project (NHRP) has filed a lawsuit against the Pittsburgh Zoo after elephants Victoria and Zuri were transferred in October to an international conservation center where, according to the lawsuit, elephants are forcibly bred.
PREVIOUS VIDEO: Pittsburgh Zoo sued by animal-rights group, suit claims ‘grossly inadequate’ conditions
“The end goal of our lawsuits is to have our clients released and transferred to an accredited or, in other cases, a chimpanzee sanctuary,” Jake Davis, the senior staff attorney at the NHRP told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 Wednesday.
With support from elephant cognition and behavior experts, the NHRP is asking the Court of Common Pleas to issue an order to show cause, which would require the Pittsburgh Zoo to justify its imprisonment of Victoria and Zuri in a habeas corpus hearing.
In response, the Pittsburgh Zoo stated, “As with all Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited members, animal care and well-being is the hallmark of Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, and the elephants there are thriving under the compassionate care of their dedicated and expert professional staff.”
The NHRP emphasized that the lawsuit is not an attack on the zookeepers.
“These lawsuits are not an attack on zookeepers; we’re not challenging the method of care and the consideration that keepers take into making these lives as manageable as possible. This is an attack on the industry that is confining animals for profit,” said Davis.
The NHRP is currently in a waiting period before any further action can be taken.
Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.