For all of her adult life, Patty has been unable to express her natural behaviors or live in a loving herd. And as if her captivity wasn’t heartbreaking enough, there’s much more to Patty’s life story. For example:

In 1981, Patty gave birth to a calf fathered by an elephant who was captured from the wild and purchased by the Bronx Zoo at the same time as Patty. The Bronx Zoo named her baby Astor. Astor died before his second birthday from the elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus, which is a leading cause of death among young captive elephants.
In 2002, Patty and her elephant companion Maxine fatally attacked Grumpy, who was Happy the elephant’s companion. Elephant experts believe they were suffering from zoochosis, which elephants can develop from being confined in zoos where they have no space or autonomy. ⁣⁣
From 1973 until 2018, Patty lived with Maxine, who also was a part of the Bronx Zoo’s 1973 elephant purchase. Maxine was euthanized in November 2018. Since Maxine’s death, Patty has been confined alone without the companionship of other elephants and she is separated from Happy, the only other elephant at the zoo.

At 54 years old, Patty—this month’s featured elephant in the NhRP’s Free To Be Elephants campaign—has suffered unimaginable hardships from the loss of her calf to years of devastating and unnatural social isolation. But her story doesn’t have to end this way. In an accredited sanctuary, she could experience the freedom and care she’s been denied for so long.

It’s not too late to help Patty and Happy. By taking action today, you can urge the Bronx Zoo to release Patty and Happy to a sanctuary where they can find the peace and freedom they deserve.

Click the button below to send a message on behalf of Patty and Happy: