In Defense of Animals (IDA) the organization that has worked for two years to rescue three circus elephants named Tina, Jewel and Queenie, announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed formal charges against the elephants' handler, Wilbur Davenport (dba "Maximus tons of Fun") for multiple violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA).

The charges state that "the gravity of the violations alleged...is great" and that Davenport has "not shown good faith" in his repeated unwillingness to comply with the AWA and its regulations and standards.

In August, the USDA, acting in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, confiscated Tina and Jewel and sent them to the San Diego Zoo, where they are receiving essential veterinary care. (Watch the 11 News report from Brad Woodard.) The agency left Queenie behind, however, where she remained chained to a tree on Davenport's property. Davenport surrendered his USDA exhibitor's license at that time.

"Charges against Davenport for his egregious abuse of elephants and violations of federal law are long overdue," said Suzanne Roy, IDA Program Director. "The USDA must now use the full force of the law to get Queenie out of Davenport's hands to the safety of a sanctuary and ensure that Davenport will not ever abuse another animal."

Read the complete press release from In Defense of Animals.

For more information, visit www.helpelephants.com

Find out how you can help Queenie!

Source and photo: In Defense of Animals, an international animal protection organization located in San Rafael, Calif. dedicated to protecting animals' rights, welfare, and habitat through education, outreach, and with hands-on rescue facilities in Mumbai, India, Cameroon, Africa, and rural Mississippi.