Elephant center says some demands must be dropped for it to come to St. Lucie

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL.— The elephants might not be coming to town after all.

What seemed to be a done deal has taken a step back after The National Elephant Center Board of Directors did not react favorably to demands made by St. Lucie County commissioners on the center, National Elephant Center Chair Rick Barongi said.

The National Elephant Center is re-evaluating its options and could choose a different location for the $4 million, 326-acre project after county commissioners grilled the organization’s representatives for five hours on Jan. 26. The representatives agreed to take proposals back to its board regarding restrictions on equipment used, limitations on the number of elephants and an oversight committee among other conditions for approval of the major site plan.

But Barongi said the conversation should have been limited to zoning requirements for the change as opposed to operational matters. The organization’s board of directors think the commissioners asked for far too much, Barongi said.

The project could have been completed this year and would employ four people.

Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky, one of the more vocal commissioners on the issue, said he felt the two sides reached a reasonable agreement, one that would protect elephants in St. Lucie County.

“If they don’t want to come to St. Lucie County, that’s certainly their prerogative,” he said.

Before the meeting, The National Elephant Center received public support from the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce, nearby land owners and Okeechobee County commissioners. Chamber of Commerce President Linda Cox said county commissioners have worked well to draw business to the area, but this is a step back.

“I’m extremely disappointed,” Cox said. “I was extremely disappointed at the tone of the meeting myself. ... It calls into question whether we want other businesses or not.”

Barongi, who did not attend the commission meeting personally, said The National Elephant Center could still remain in St. Lucie County, though a new deal would need to be reached that would eliminate the operational restrictions. The tenor also would have to change, he said.

“It’s really about the environment,” he said. “There was definitely an atmosphere that leaves some cause for concern.”

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Comments

InsuranceGuy writes:

What is wrong with this county???? What business is it of theirs what people do on private property. What would have been a boost to the local economy now may go somewhere else.They would have needed keepers, vets, feed suppliers etc. and amazingly enough they weren't looking for a handout from the county.

I guess they didn't bribe the right moron

MLA writes:

The application was for zoning and land use issues. The County Commission has no business placing conditions on internal operational issues on this project or any other development. Not only is it outside of the Commission's authority and responsibilies, but they have no way to enforce such conditions once the establishment is opperational.

AnimalPlanet writes:

The commission's decision was based purely on politics and not on the merits of TNEC. Commissioners got more letters from animal extremist groups than they did endorsements from other groups. Yes, the letters from animal extremist groups were FORM letters, but hey, when you're just counting heads I guess that's enough. The followers of animal extremist groups DON'T know what really goes on in zoos with elephant care. They only know what the organizations tell them. And they only DO what the organizations tell them to do. Sign a form letter and send it in? Sure. Do your own investigation about elephants in the care of humans? Well, no. It's so much easier to let PETA and the local activists do the thinking and I'll just toss off a form letter. This area had a chance to really do something for elephants and to do something to advance elephant knowledge and care. But instead the decision makers caved to a vocal minority with one agenda - close down circuses and zoos and use high profile animals featured in those circuses and zoos, such as elephants to get the job done. Think PETA cares about elephants? Think again. PETA cares only about two things - its bottom line financials and ultimately declaring victory against zoos and circuses, regardless of whether the outcome of the victory is really in the best interest of the animals. St. Lucie, you got snookered and used as a pawn in PETA's game. How does it feel?