"Happy's actions speak volumes: she can no longer mentally cope with her environment," said Courtney Scott, Elephant Consultant for In Defense of Animals, when the rankings were announced. "Both Happy and Patty are in desperate need of a stimulating, natural environment with ample space to roam - somewhere they can experience the social and cognitive enrichment they have been denied for so long."
In Defense of Animals accused the Bronx Zoo of violating the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' standards of care for elephants, which require female elephants to be kept in social groups of at least three.
This year's list highlighted zoos that the organization claims compromise elephants' health through extended captivity, which studies have shown can damage elephants' brain health. Topping the list as the 'worst' zoo for elephants was the Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens.
Nonhuman Rights claimed in an Instagram post that, based on the photos, experts suspected Happy might suffer from a foot disease. "Elephants in captivity are particularly vulnerable to foot disease, and it's a leading cause of death among them."
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