Council approves elephant exhibit

Cher speaks to the Los Angeles City Council on whether work should resume on an elephant exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo. She argued that elephant enclosures are a shameful tradition that should be ended. “I’m not a fanatic. I just love animals, like most Americans,” Cher said.

Cher speaks to the Los Angeles City Council on whether work should resume on an elephant exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo. She argued that elephant enclosures are a shameful tradition that should be ended. “I’m not a fanatic. I just love animals, like most Americans,” Cher said.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

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Against the exhibit

Councillman Tony Cardenas, who has led the movement to abort the elephant exhibit, speaks before the City Council voted to finish the $42-million project, which will allow the zoo to keep its lone pachyderm.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Backing the zoo

Councilman Tom LaBonge, the zoo’s most ardent supporter on the council, listens to the discussion of the elephant exhibit.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Celebrity clout

Billy the elephant is staying put, and retired game show host Bob Barker isn’t happy about it. The City Council voted to finish the elephant exhibit despite pleas by the longtime former host of “The Price Is Right” and other celebrity opponents to scrap the project.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

A show of gratitude

Supporters of the zoo project cheered after the City Council voted to green-light construction of the elephant exhibit. The decision marked a turnaround for the council; last year it had signaled it was ready to kill the project.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)