I apologize for the very depressing image and crummy...

I apologize for the very depressing image and crummy photography, but I snapped this picture in a zoo in southern China in 2000 when I was investigating the ivory trade for an international wildlife trade watch organization.

In light of the recent elephant management decision in Zimbabwe to ship a large number of calves to zoos in other countries (an effort sanctioned by CITES), perhaps some of the conversation should focus on which countries and zoos are actually fit to host Zimbabwe’s elephant treasures? For example, of all the elephants that are destined for China, what zoos have facilities that are appropriate elephant enclosures? Certainly not this one I should hope!