Local and international animal rights groups are shocked with the Nevada County Fairgrounds Board of Directors decision to allow a Southern California company to bring live elephants and provide elephant rides for the Nevada County Fair this summer. Following a long public comment period where a majority of the speakers spoke against bringing the elephants to Grass Valley (26 against and 9 in support), the Board decided to maintain the contract with Have Trunk Will Travel.
Immediately following the meeting, Animal Defenders International Campaigns Director, Matt Rossell, says he was shocked with the boards action despite the evidence his organization presented.
Click here to listen to Matt Rossell

Much of the evidence presented against Have Trunk Will Travel is a video in which it appears that trainers are abusing elephants in order to get them to perform.
Earlier in the day KNCO presented a report where a representative for Have Trunk Will Travel disputed the video stating it had been edited and taken out of context. Rossell contradicts that statement.
Click here to listen to Matt Rossell

Matt Rossell says that ADI will continue to work with and educate Fair Boards as well as other decision making entities around the state, country and world to fight for the elephants rights in order to end commercial use of elephants for entertainment purposes.
Click here to listen to Matt Rossell

KNCO will report on additional perspectives from others that participated in the meeting on Thursday as well as encouraging people to actively participate in Fitzsimmons and Flores Two-Way Talk Show, Open Line Friday, between 1:05 and 2:00 PM.