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I have an encouraging development to share about Wankie, the sole surviving elephant at the Lincoln Park Zoo, and am asking for your continued help and support at this critical time. On March 9, Chicago Alderman George Cardenas introduced a resolution recommending that Wankie, the surviving elephant at the Lincoln Park Zoo, be retired to a sanctuary and the elephant exhibit closed for good. The resolution has been referred to the Committee on Parks and Recreation. We must encourage all Chicago councilmembers to vote in favor of the resolution and ask that it is quickly heard by the Committee on Parks and Recreation. The zoo plans to send Wankie away in April to another zoo, so this issue is urgent. Two elephants have suffered premature deaths at Lincoln Park Zoo in the last few months. The zoo plans to shuffle the surviving elephant, Wankie, to more of the same problems at another zoo and bring in yet more elephants. Chicago should instead be following the lead of eight other U.S. zoos that have closed their elephant exhibits. Detroit Zoo Director Ron Kagan explained his decision to close the zoo's elephant exhibit and send the elephants to a sanctuary, saying "Now we understand how much more is needed to be able to meet all the physical and psychological needs of elephants in captivity, especially in a cold climate." In zoos, elephants suffer captivity-induced health problems, premature death, loneliness, and boredom.