I respectfully ask Six Flags and Mayor Intintoli to make a joint effort to stop animal cruelty inside Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. I was shocked to learn Six Flags still features elephant acts and rides at its North Bay amusement park.

Medical records show the elephants endure brutal treatment and suffer disorders associated with the insufficient, taxing and bleak environment they reside in. Among American Zoo and Aquarium Association facilities, Six Flags is the only one that still sells elephant rides to an unsuspecting public.

Statistics show that elephants � who often seize the opportunity to escape during rides � have caused serious human injury, even death, over the last several decades. These rides attract children. It is irresponsible to offer them at an amusement park.

Six Flags handlers utilize bullhooks (baseball bat length poles that end in steel hooks) to inflict fear and pain. These �disciplinary� weapons are jabbed into the tender skin of an elephant's face, feet, knees, ears, mouth, chin, or anus. Elephant skin looks tough. In fact, it is as easily damaged or irritated as human skin. Bullhook style training subjects elephants to lacerations, puncture wounds, swelling, abscesses, and bruises.

Cruel training and substandard conditions disgrace Six Flags and the city of Vallejo. Six Flags is plainly unequipped to meet the complex physical/psychological needs of elephants. Moreover, it uses elephants for dangerous rides and inhumane circus-type acts such as tug-of-war and log stacking performances. Many zoos have discarded these antiquated acts due to animal welfare and public safety issues.

I encourage Six Flags to end its live animal acts. I urge the Mayor to facilitate the release of these elephants to a credible sanctuary where they can roam with fellow elephants, forage for food, indulge in mud baths�and basically be elephants.