Selling Zoo Animals

Two articles (“San Diego Zoo Halts Sales Over Hunt Farm Link,” Sept. 18, and “Sale of Elephant to Mexico Zoo Protested,” Sept. 20) were especially troubling. How do animals become “surplus animals”? Why are they sold from or taken from their zoo homes? In this respect does surplus mean unappealing, ill or old? Why can’t these animals remain where they are until their deaths? Old or infirm humans are no longer put on ice floes. The animals have been taken from their natural homes by humans or were born in captivity. We are all responsible for them.

HELEN LINDA CONARD DesMARAIS

Claremont