Activists say ‘clearly something is wrong’ as Happy the Elephant is still ‘missing’ from Bronx Zoo
The famous Bronx Zoo elephant Happy has not been spotted by visitors in nearly six weeks — prompting activists to say “clearly something is wrong” with the beloved pachyderm.
The 53-year-old animal has likely been hiding out in a small barn within her enclosure, which is not “normal behavior” for an elephant, said Courtney Fern of the Nonhuman Rights Project.
“Something is seriously wrong with Happy,” Fern told The Post.
“She could be choosing not to go outside because she is depressed and has lost the will to live, and going outside no longer brings her joy,” said Fern, a director of government relations for the group. “Or she could be in pain.”
The gentle giant — who can normally be spotted tromping around a pond from the zoo’s monorail — hasn’t been seen by the public since July 14, according to the group, which sends activists to check on Happy.
The elephant’s mysterious disappearance sparked speculation last month over where she could have gone — as the zoo insisted she’s perfectly fine.
For weeks, the zoo has said Happy is simply choosing to stay in an area that can’t be seen from the zoo’s observation monorail, and is “hanging back” around “other indoor/outdoor areas.”
Happy, who was famously the subject of a court case arguing elephants have “personhood,” was nowhere to be seen when Post reporters visited her enclosure on Thursday and Friday.
“They’re claiming it’s her choice not to come outside. It’s possible that’s true — but this is not normal behavior for an elephant,” Fern said. “Most likely she’s not coming out because something is wrong with her mentally or physically.”
“Clearly something is wrong,” Fern said. “It’s taking a toll on her body and mind to be confined to a small space like that…So what is the zoo going to do about it?”
Mary Dixon, a spokeswoman for the zoo, referred The Post to the same statement it issued July 31 claiming, “Nothing is wrong with Happy.”
She didn’t respond to follow-up questions, inquiring about why the animal may be choosing to isolate herself or whether the zoo plans to take any action.
Animal rights activists said the solution is obvious.
“Move her,” Fern said. “Let her live out the rest of her life at a sanctuary.”
