Welcome to Billy's Home

Welcome to Elephants of Asia, the only home that Billy has ever known. This habitat was purpose-built to be the best home for elephants. You can find out more about how Asian elephants are cared for at the Los Angeles Zoo at lazoo.org/elephants

[@marionklein7975]

PS: I live in LA and so I REALLY appreciate you publicizing his loving and beautiful environment to help him stay at the LA Zoo. I know about the controversy and have sent messages to my councilpeople, etc. Moving Billy to another facility would be a tragedy and great trauma for Billy. The people who are asking for him to be moved truly don't understand the gravity of what they are asking of Billy. He must stay at the LA Zoo! Thanks to all who are reading these comments! Marion Klein

[@vicki90272]

I have spent many hours observing Billy, Tina, and Jewel as a research volunteer at the zoo. They all receive excellent care and have a good quality of life in their zoo habitat. There are many resources and devoted caretakers dedicated to their well being. Thank you for this video!

[@marionklein7975]

I loved this video...sad and beautiful. Thank you so much for making it, showing it, and especially for all of the wonderful care and longevity of care from a consistent team of caretakers all of these decades. Billy really has a fabulous physical home and access to other elephants...and to people who really love him.

[@tmhwriter]

One of the problems with keeping elephants in captivity is that they don't get enough exercise. Billy's living environment is one of the best I've ever seen in a zoo. But, does he actually get enough exercise? As much as an elephant in the "wild?"

[@TheLosAngelesZoo]

You're right that exercise is very important for elephants and all animals. Elephants in the wild only travel in order to search for food. Those in human care who have food provided for them must have a dedicated staff that works to encourage them to utilize their space for exercise, regardless of whether they have five or five hundred acres of land available. The animal care staff at the L.A. Zoo spend hours every day encouraging Billy, Tina, and Jewel to traverse miles in their exhibit, using positive reinforcement, hiding food throughout the exhibit, and scheduling when food will be placed at various points around the exhibit so that the elephants will have to travel to gather it all. Thank you for your question!

[@quoteonquoteclub9711]

ah, good ol' billy

[@carolinepaquier8156]

What a great job LA did with this habitat. It's lovely and I'm sure Billy is totally happy and more important, in no life threatening danger from predators or illnesses. There are many positive things about life in captivity and this zoo is one. Well done Los Angeles. Be well, Billy.

[@Buddyg315]

It seems strange and sad that only comments supportive of the LA Zoo's position appear on this thread. Why does the LA Zoo only permit one side of the story -- its own -- to be published?

[@svenable567]

Inspirational and sad. So glad you are taking care of them. Tearing up.

[@firebirdheats]

Absolutely lovely 😊

[@nygelburwell8538]

Thank you to ALL the staff for taking great care of those elephants. Very disgusting of those who wished to own ivory, I hope we can preserve the elephants from those heartless thugs.

[@connybrown8940]

If this is what's going to save not just elephants from getting killed then so be it. LA Zoo is awesome with the care for these animals so they can live a long life of freedom of hunters. Very supportive of this video.

[@GrinningElf]

What causes the head bobbin? Attempts at domestication/private ownership and/or malnutrition/malcare?

[@TheLosAngelesZoo]

When Billy arrived at the L.A. Zoo as a four year old, he exhibited the repetitive behavior of head bobbing. Research has shown that the head bobbing is most often anticipatory in nature. Similar to when people tap their toes or fidget, Billy will bob his head when he expects food or is waiting for a specific activity. To minimize the behavior, the animal care staff breaks up Billy’s routine on a daily basis, with no two days being exactly the same. And it works. Even though we’ve been able to reduce Billy’s head bobbing, once this kind of behavior is set in early life, it’s impossible to eliminate completely. The good news is that, through research and extensive exams, we’re able to ensure that the behavior is not detrimental to his physical or psychological health.

[@TheLosAngelesZoo]

When Billy arrived at the L.A. Zoo as a four year old, he exhibited the repetitive behavior of head bobbing. Research has shown that the head bobbing is most often anticipatory in nature. Similar to when people tap their toes or fidget, Billy will bob his head when he expects food or is waiting for a specific activity. To minimize the behavior, the animal care staff breaks up Billy’s routine on a daily basis, with no two days being exactly the same. And it works. Even though we’ve been able to reduce Billy’s head bobbing, once this kind of behavior is set in early life, it’s impossible to eliminate completely. The good news is that, through research and extensive exams, we’re able to ensure that the behavior is not detrimental to his physical or psychological health.

[@zoosmedia]

This is a great and important video. Thank you for uploading it educate people on Billy. It would be great, if there would also be a German subtitle. If you need help, feel free to contact us. :)

[@epic10fx20]

dose the los Angeles zoo have any plans in the near future to bring in younger cows for Billy to mate with.

[@Buddyg315]

I understand the LA Zoo is deleting comments critical of the Zoo's treatment of Billy and supportive of Councilman Koretz' resolution to save him. How is that helpful to robust public discussion of this important animal rights debate?