In late November 2020, Cher embarked on a journey from Los Angeles to Pakistan to rescue an Asian elephant named Kaavan. Kaavan had been languishing in poor conditions at the decrepit Islamabad zoo, and after a five-year effort led by Cher’s charity fund, Free the Wild, he was successfully relocated to a sanctuary in Cambodia. However, while Cher celebrated Kaavan’s freedom, she couldn’t help but think about another elephant, Billy, who remains trapped at the L.A. Zoo in Los Angeles.
Billy, a 38-year-old elephant, has spent the majority of his life at the L.A. Zoo. Calls for his release to a sanctuary have been ongoing, and a December motion by the L.A. City Council’s Personnel, Audits, and Animal Welfare Committee recommended the same. However, the L.A. Zoo has consistently resisted these calls, and despite other American zoos phasing out or closing their elephant exhibits, there has been no indication that the L.A. Zoo plans to do the same.
Cher is determined not to let the momentum for Billy’s release wane. She believes that people need to understand and appreciate the detrimental effects of zoo life on these animals. In a recent interview, she expressed her concern for Billy’s well-being, describing the constant pain he experiences from walking on a cement-like ground. Billy exhibits stereotypical behavior associated with captive elephants, such as bobbing, weaving, and swaying.
Zoos keep elephants because they are a major draw and bring in significant revenue. Cher wants people to take action by reaching out to the L.A. City Council and expressing their concerns for Billy’s welfare and the urgent need to move him to a sanctuary. As citizens, they have the power to influence decision-making regarding the zoo but haven’t been able to make a significant impact so far. Cher also mentioned the secrecy surrounding the deaths of elephants at the L.A. Zoo, highlighting the lack of transparency and the difficulties in obtaining information about the animals’ well-being.
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Aside from her dedication to freeing Billy, Cher also spoke about her connection with animals in general. She shared stories of her childhood dog, Pansy, and her beloved cat, Mr. Big. Cher’s concern extends beyond elephants, as she also highlighted the plight of Lucy, an elephant in Canada, and Lolita, a whale in Florida. These animals are currently in terrible conditions and need help.
The conversation shifted to the broader challenges faced by captive animals, including the impact of climate change and ongoing conflicts like the invasion of Ukraine. Cher recounted her efforts to rescue animals from Ukraine before the war broke out, emphasizing the importance of supporting countries that are fighting battles to prevent further aggression.
The discussion briefly touched on politics, with Cher expressing her fears about the future of America if certain politicians were to regain power. She emphasized the need to fight for the rights of marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ+ community.
The conversation also touched on social media and Cher’s use of platforms like Twitter for activism. Cher expressed her challenges with navigating the platform and mentioned her switch to other platforms like Threads. However, she was interrupted by background music and humorously debunked the idea that it was related to her new gelato brand, Cherlato, which has received positive reviews. Cher expressed her love for ice cream and her excitement about the flavors offered by Cherlato, including the decadent edible gold cones.
In conclusion, Cher’s dedication to freeing captive animals, particularly elephants like Kaavan and Billy, remains unwavering. She recognizes the need for public support to influence decision-makers and advocates for the release of animals to sanctuaries. Despite her busy schedule, including her foray into the gelato business, Cher remains focused on using her platform to bring attention to the suffering of animals and promote their welfare.
