In this photo taken, Thursday Feb. 26, 2009, an elephant is seen on a hillside at the Performing Animals Welfare Society's ARK 2000 Sanctuary near San Andreas, Calif. The Performing Animals Welfare Society, or P.A.W.S. , houses six Asian and four African elephants and has far more room for the elephants to roam than those in zoos. Multi-million dollar elephant displays are under way in Denver, Los Angeles, Washington, Wichita, Kan. and Oklahoma City, running counter to recent history when zoos were closing down their elephant exhibits out of animal welfare concerns. Within five years, the number of elephants in 77 accredited zoos across the country is expected to rise from 290 to 532. AP Photo logo AP Photo 5 months ago

In this photo taken, Thursday Feb. 26, 2009, an elephant is seen on a hillside at the Performing Animals Welfare Society's ARK 2000 Sanctuary near San Andreas, Calif. The Performing Animals Welfare Society, or P.A.W.S. , houses six Asian and four African elephants and has far more room for the elephants to roam than those in zoos. Multi-million dollar elephant displays are under way in Denver, Los Angeles, Washington, Wichita, Kan. and Oklahoma City, running counter to recent history when zoos were closing down their elephant exhibits out of animal welfare concerns. Within five years, the number of elephants in 77 accredited zoos across the country is expected to rise from 290 to 532.

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