Tulsa Zoo to welcome 2 Asian elephants from Los Angeles Zoo

The Tulsa Zoo will soon welcome two new members to its Asian elephant herd. Billy, a 40-year-old bull, and Tina, a 59-year-old female, will relocate from the Los Angeles Zoo later this year.

The move comes amid growing national attention surrounding Billy's well-being, with celebrities and animal advocates pushing for a change in his living conditions. Tulsa Zoo leaders say the relocation aligns with a shared commitment to animal welfare and the best interests of individual elephants.

Why Billy and Tina Are Moving

The Los Angeles Zoo announced that relocating Billy and Tina will give them a chance to live among a larger elephant herd. Tulsa Zoo’s specialized elephant care and expanded facilities were key reasons for the move.

Billy has long been at the center of debate over whether the zoo provided enough space and stimulation. Critics, including celebrities Cher, Lily Tomlin and the late Bob Barker, have called for his release to a sanctuary.

Tulsa Zoo Vice President of Animal Conservation and Science Joe Barkowski said the move was made in the animals' best interest and coordinated with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

The Controversy Surrounding Billy

Animal rights activists have criticized Billy's living conditions for over a decade. In a 2018 interview, actress Lily Tomlin expressed her concern over what she called an "unnatural environment," while advocates noted elephants need room to roam for their physical and mental health.

The L.A. Zoo has defended its care, citing daily exercise routines and outdoor access. But Billy’s head bobbing and long-standing behavioral patterns have fueled further debate.

In 2019, Cher tweeted, “BILLY HAS BEEN ALONE FOR 30 Yrs. BILLY HAS HAD A BREAKDOWN, ALL HE DOES IS ROCK.”

City officials in Los Angeles have also called for independent health evaluations in recent years to determine Billy’s long-term future.

What Awaits Billy and Tina in Tulsa

Billy and Tina will join Tulsa’s five existing elephants — Sneezy, Hank, Sooky, Booper and Connie — in a zoo that has cared for elephants since 1954. The herd will live in the newly completed Mary K. and John T. Oxley Family Elephant Experience and Elephant Preserve.

The preserve features a 36,650-square-foot barn, 2 acres of yard space, and will soon include a 10-acre expansion opening this summer. Visitors can observe the elephants in new indoor and outdoor habitats and engage with educational exhibits at the interpretive center.

Tulsa Zoo’s Legacy of Elephant Care

Tulsa Zoo President and CEO Lindsay Hutchison said the zoo’s dedication to elephant care spans 70 years and began with Gunda, a female Asian elephant who inspired her career in conservation.

See Also: New barn at Tulsa Zoo creates more space for elephants

“Our city leadership and the citizens of Tulsa showed their support for our commitment to Asian elephants by approving Vision funding for our recent expansion,” Hutchison said. "Because of this ongoing support, Tulsa Zoo can continue to provide the best in animal wellbeing and teach future generations that real change is possible."

Tulsa Zoo was one of the first institutions to earn AZA accreditation in 1976 and most recently passed an inspection in 2023, affirming its adherence to the highest standards in animal care.

What’s Next

Billy and Tina are expected to arrive later this year, though an exact date has not been released.