Federal judge allows transfer of Illinois pachyderms to Oklahoma

Wednesday, June 22nd 2005, 11:16 am

By: News On 6

CHICAGO (AP) _ A federal judge ruled Tuesday that four elephants at a McHenry County training facility can be moved to an Oklahoma foundation that cares for retired circus animals.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals filed a federal lawsuit in Washington D.C. seeking to block the transfer of the elephants from a farm near Richmond, Ill.

Hawthorn Corp. owner John Cuneo agreed to move his 12 elephants after federal officials accused him of improperly caring for the animals. He arranged the transfer of four female pachyderms from Richmond to the Endangered Ark Foundation in Hugo, Okla., but PETA objected to the move.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman ruled the animal right's group had no legal standing to intervene in the matter, said Hawthorn attorney Derek Shaffer.

``We're very happy for these elephants. We care deeply about them, and are working hard to find placements for the others,'' Shaffer said.

PETA argued that Endangered Ark is run by the same family that manages the Carson & Barnes Circus and the animal rights group has accused the circus of mistreating its elephants. Circus owners have denied those allegations.

PETA spokeswoman Debbie Leahy said the group will ask Oklahoma officials to deny the circus a permit that allows them to bring the elephants to the state.

There was no phone listing for Endangered Ark and a message left with the circus Tuesday evening was not immediately returned.