There Must Be A Pony In Here Somewhere

Published: Monday, 26 Oct 2009 | 11:23 AM ET

Text Size

Remember that Wildlife Safari in Oregon we told you about, where the elephants started a car wash?

Source: Wildlife Safari Hey, do you know if we qualify for unemployment?

Well, go figure — animal-rights group PETA doesn’t appreciate using pachyderms for a power wash. They’ve fired off a letter to the safari’s executive director, Dan Van Slyke, urging him to shut down the car wash.

The car wash “is a gimmick that does nothing to foster respect for this endangered species,” PETA says in the letter. “Instead of learning about the very real threats elephants face and what they can do to help, visitors come away with a cheap thrill.”

They also accuse the zoo of inhumane treatment, saying videos of the elephants washing cars show handlers using chains and hooks to get the animals to wash the cars.

The Wildlife Safari maintains that there is nothing inhumane about the car wash — for the elephants, it’s just playing in the water.

In any case, I’m just glad we’re talking about it. Don't you just hate it when there’s an elephant in the room and no one acknowledges it?

More From CNBC.com:

• Why SUVs Are Better Than Dogs
• The Truth Behind Madoff's Bull
• Ad Execs Curse 'Tilman the Skateboarding Dog'
• Ee-Ee! Oo-Oo! Animals Get Pink Slips at Bronx Zoo!
• Almost Paradise: The Third-Best Job in the World
• Slideshow: Which Country Gets the Most Vacation Days?

Questions?  Comments?  Write to .

Print

Email

Text Size