Online only letters to the editor

Sonics staying?

Editor, The Times:

Although a lot of people are mad at Howard Schultz right now, I blame the City of Seattle leadership for the probable loss of the Sonics.

We need to realize the Sonics are, at the end of the day, a business first. They need to make money. Seattle fans have more at stake here because, if the Sonics leave, we won't have a team to watch, though the team can still operate in another city.

As such, the city council should have done more to provide the team with a competitive arena and lease, which is hardly too much to ask. Instead, it failed to provide the funding or motivation needed to keep the Sonics, and now it looks like we will lose the team.

This lack of leadership is what caused the light-rail disaster, and is why nothing has been done about the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Now that we will have some free money not going to the Sonics, I suggest Seattle sports fans use it on "more important things" ... like donations to those running against Licata and the rest of the council in the next election cycle.

— Ted Hastings, Bellevue

I may not care for basketball, but I know a rat when I smell one. The full-page ad from the Sonics'/Storm's new owners pledges to make every effort to keep the teams in Seattle "provided" the city makes the improvements to Key Arena they want.

So, what I'm hearing is if the new mega-millionaire owners don't get the taxpayer-funded upgrades that the old mega-millionaire owners wanted and didn't get, they may very well pack up the teams and move them.

I say dispense with the drama and go. Besides, they may take our basketball teams but they'll never take our most beloved icon, Starbucks.

— Karl Woods, Tukwila

Bamboo Debate

Thank you for publishing a balanced article about Woodland Park Zoo ["Big draw, big controversy: Bamboo's life at the zoo," Times, News, July 13]. With so much negative press lately, I was pleased to see something positive being said.

People need to visit the zoo to see what a world-class institution it is. Many adults haven't visited in years and all they remember is the old zoo when animals were in small cages. Woodland Park Zoo is a leader in creating naturalistic exhibits with wide open spaces for animals to roam, and even to go off view when they choose.

The zoo gives visitors the opportunity to see many animals they might not otherwise see in their lifetimes and tries to instill an appreciation for them. The zoo also educates its visitors about conservation by sharing Woodland Park's efforts to protect natural habitats throughout the world.

I've been a docent at the zoo for two years and a volunteer for three, and have grown to respect the keepers for the passionate care they give their animals. Each and every animal is well cared for and all receive enrichment on a daily basis.

Bamboo is loved by the keepers, other staff, volunteers and definitely the public. To send her away to Tennessee would be cruel — the climate is different from what she has known her whole life and she would miss her keepers. Even when she went to Point Defiance Zoo, her Woodland Park Zoo keepers regularly visited her. She is a happy and healthy elephant here and she should stay here.

I'm very proud to be associated with the zoo because I believe in its mission. For those who don't know Woodland Park, they need to come visit and see for themselves.

— Judith Nyman-Schaaf, Seattle

I have been a volunteer at Woodland Park Zoo for almost 16 years in the education department. I have watched our elephants, educated children about them, and have also been fortunate to see elephants in the wild.

They are a very social animal and, although they have many, many more acres in the wild, they still stand, eat and move in very close proximity to each other. At water holes, they are so close you could almost walk across them.

I saw Bamboo, Chai and Hansa close together this morning waiting for a snack while our African elephant, Watoto, was separate and moved to another area. This was all by choice with no coaxing. They have room service at the zoo and don't need to walk miles to forage for their food — not to mention their excellent health care and daily baths.

Sending Bamboo across the country, holed up in a trailer to a "new captivity" situation and handlers who are strangers would be harmful for her. She should remain with her wonderful keepers and vet staff at Woodland Park Zoo.

— Linda Berkman, Seattle

"Big draw, big controversy: Bamboo's life at the zoo" accurately explains that elephants throughout Asia and Africa are endangered. Sadly, human activity such as habitat degradation, wars and poaching are contributing to the demise of these magnificent animals.

That's why Woodland Park Zoo participates in Species Survival Plans for elephants and works with conservation organizations around the globe to save them.

The Seattle community can be proud of our zoo, which has received dozens of awards for conservation, education and exhibitry over the years. We are known worldwide as "one of the best" for many reasons — first and foremost is the excellent animal care provided by our expert team of keepers, veterinarians, other staff and volunteers. These people are passionate about animals and they bring that passion to work every day.

We believe in what we do. And we are confident our elephants — as well as all the other animals — receive exemplary care. Come and see Bamboo. She's content, well cared for and enjoying her home at Woodland Park Zoo where she has lived for 38 years. Those who wish to send her away don't have Bamboo's best interests at heart.

— Deborah Jensen, president and CEO, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle

I appreciated your balanced article on Bamboo, the elephant at Woodland Park Zoo. Northwest Animal Rights Network (NARN) exposes its lack of understanding of elephants by its comment that knocking keepers down is evidence of Bamboo's aggressive behavior.

Elephants are highly social animals that move up in the hierarchy of the herd by pushing other members around. The problem lies with the fact that keepers, due to their close daily contact with the elephants, become part of this hierarchy. Woodland Park Zoo has already addressed this by switching to what is called protected contact, now always working with barriers between humans and elephants.

NARN also states Bamboo has suffered a "psychological breakdown" (no evidence) and that she will likely die prematurely. Since Bamboo is currently in excellent health, this is simply speculation.

As a long-time volunteer of 23 years at Woodland Park Zoo, I know the keepers and veterinarians who care for these elephants. I am impressed by the level of expertise and caring from these zoo professionals. Keepers provide one-to-one attention daily for each elephant, providing enrichment and checking their health.

It's unfortunate NARN has seized on publicity about Bamboo to push forward its ultimate agenda — getting rid of all elephants in zoos.

— Janis Weltzin, Seattle