Perth Zoo has hit back at allegations of animal abuse, after activists accused them of using bullhooks to force their Asian elephant population to 'exhibit unnatural behaviour'.
A Change.org petition was started by Global March for Elephants and Rhinos member Jodi Benfield, and asked the zoo to no longer sell its popular elephant paintings, known as 'ele-art'.
"By offering 'ele art', produced by the Asian elephants at Perth Zoo, you are making this behaviour appear normal to the public, encouraging them to pay for similar works of 'art' abroad, where the standard of welfare may not be as high," the petition stated.
"We ask that you reassess the environmental, and behavioural, enrichment opportunities given to your Asian elephants.
"In doing so, we ask that you no longer offer 'ele-art', be it as a gift, or part of an event package."
However, a spokeswoman for Perth Zoo said the claims made by the concerned group were 'inflammatory and baseless'.
"Perth Zoo is currently being targeted by a group of people who claim to care about elephants, yet know little about our elephants or their individual needs," Perth Zoo's media and communications manager Danielle Henry said.
"They are questioning our care of the animals and 'training methods' as our elephants engage in painting activities at Perth Zoo as part of the Zoo's environmental enrichment program.
"Let us reassure you that our animal care staff are amongst the most skilled in the world.
"Any suggestion that we harm or force the elephants to participate in painting or other activities is inaccurate and completely contradicts the way we care for the animals at Perth Zoo.
The 'ele-art' is made by Asian elephants Permai, Tricia and Putra Ma while they are taking part in the Zoo's enrichment program, which is designed to offer mental stimulation to the animals.
The trio draw with water and vegetable based paint on a canvas, and proceeds from the portraits go to local patrol units monitoring Sumatran elephant populations.
The Zoo has sold its elephant pieces for a number of years, and recently began advertising the paintings as a possible Christmas gift.
The petition states while it is understood the keepers at Perth Zoo care deeply about their elephants, they would not accept painting the portraits was 'enriching' for the animals involved.
"We also have concerns regarding the training methods employed with the elephants. Especially in regard to the use of bullhooks," the petition said.
"Bullhooks are one of the many weapons used against young elephants, when they go through a training process known as 'phajaan'. Which in Thai, means "to divorce the baby elephant from its spirit" or to "split the will" of a baby elephant. Phajaan or 'crushing' is the traditional Asian torture of young elephants to break their spirit. It is done so that they are submissive to humans."
The petition claimed a video had been posted online by Perth Zoo, allegedly depicting the use of bullhooks by its keepers.
However, Ms Henry also rubbished claims keepers would use bullhooks in order to lead its animals.
"We do not use 'bullhooks' as is being claimed. The elephant guides our staff use do not have a sharp point, but are blunted, and are used as a directional tool when needed," she said.
"The people making these claims know little about our elephants or their individual needs."
Global March for Elephants and Rhinos representative Leeanne Innis said the organisation agreed with the petition's aims.
"We want Perth Zoo to stop elephants painting as it sets a precedent that this type of interaction with wild animals is acceptable," she said.
"Going into the holiday season, with Australians travelling to Asia especially, we don't want them riding elephants, getting elephant massages or buying elephant paintings.
"By Perth Zoo allowing this, it will be deemed acceptable by the general public."
The petition currently has 484 signatures online.
