Mexico

Mexico's Top Court Makes Historic Ruling for Zoo Elephant

FEB 27 2025·Updated MAR 10 2025

Story

Above: Animal rights activists hold banners while they take part in a protest to demand justice for Ely the elephant in front of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) in Mexico City, Mexico, on June 17, 2024. Image credit: Daniel Cardenas/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images

The Facts

Mexico's Supreme Court has ordered the San Juan de Aragon zoo to ensure the "constant improvement" of the health and physical condition of an African elephant named Ely. This marks the first time the country's highest court has ruled in favor of an animal.
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REFORMA
Ely, estimated to be between 43 and 45 years old, has lived at the Mexico City zoo for 13 years after being rescued from a circus, where she developed mobility issues in her rear right leg and suffered nutritional deficiencies.
CNN
Newsday
The elephant's condition deteriorated significantly after the death of her companion Maggie in 2016, leading to behavioral issues such as banging against enclosure walls and weight loss, earning her the nickname "the world's saddest elephant."
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Mexico News Daily
Following public pressure, the zoo expanded Ely's enclosure to over 78K square feet and introduced two new elephants in 2023 and 2024, with six staff members maintaining the enclosure and another six monitoring her health.
CNN
Mexico News Daily
Mexico's Supreme Court ruling requires the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) and the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) to "coordinate effectively with the Secretariat of the Environment of Mexico City (SEDEMA) to guarantee" Ely's well-being.
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REFORMA
This decision follows a recent high court ruling that upheld Mexico City's laws against animal mistreatment and cruelty as constitutional, potentially setting a precedent for animal rights in Mexico.
The Independent
Vox

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The Spin

Narrative A

This is a welcome ruling after years of pleas from concerned citizens. Ely the elephant is a beloved animal whose life has been tormented by years of circus abuse and subsequent confinement in the zoo. Elephants are remarkable animals with emotions similar to humans, which is why if they're going to be put in a zoo, their well-being must be ensured by law.

Animal Legal & Historical Center

World Animal Protection

Narrative B

While zoo animals obviously deserve to be treated with the best possible care, cases like this also bring up the question of whether the broader zoo industry is actually good for wild animals. Of course, there are positive aspects, including breeding endangered species and protecting them from poachers, but this isn't always true. More research should be conducted regarding the necessity of zoos.