MEXICO CITY — In a landmark ruling, Mexico’s Supreme Court has mandated that a zoo enhance the living conditions of an African elephant named Ely, marking the first instance of the country’s highest court intervening for an animal’s welfare.
The court decreed a transformational improvement in Ely’s health and well-being. This decision reinforces a lower court’s previous ruling from last year, favoring Ely, and could potentially pave the way for recognizing animal rights in Mexico.
Animal rights activists have long contended that Ely has suffered from depression, especially after the death of Maggie, an elephant she shared her space with, in 2016. In addition to battling illness in captivity, Ely exhibited distress behaviors such as hitting her enclosure walls and experiencing weight loss. Her supporters called her “the world’s saddest elephant.”
Having been saved from a circus, Ely has resided at the San Juan de Aragon Zoo in Mexico City for 13 years. “Ely was existing in dire conditions,” commented Diana Valencia, who heads the animal rights organization Opening Cages and Opening Minds. “I am convinced she wouldn’t have survived much longer.”
This recent verdict follows a related Supreme Court decision last month, affirming the constitutionality of Mexico City’s legislation against animal mistreatment and cruelty. While Valencia acknowledged the zoo’s efforts to enhance Ely’s environment, she noted these adjustments only arrived after significant public advocacy.
In recent years, the zoo expanded her enclosure and introduced two more elephants, in 2023 and 2024 respectively. Gabriela Uribe Acosta, a veterinarian and director at the zoo’s Center for Wildlife Conservation, expressed confidence in meeting the court’s requirements to better Ely’s conditions.
A dedicated team of six ensures Ely’s enclosure remains clean while another six personnel monitor her health. Uribe Acosta refuted claims of Ely being depressed, arguing that her condition has stabilized and improved alongside the introduction of new companions.
Nevertheless, this court order could have broader implications beyond Ely. According to Sergio Méndez Silva, a lawyer and litigation coordinator for the local Foundation for Justice, “Mexico is making a significant leap with this kind of precedent. I believe this ruling will be a pivotal moment.”
