WEST SPRINGFIELD — Beulah, an elephant that died last fall at The Big E, died of blood poisoning caused by a uterine infection, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Beulah, the Asian elephant who for many years gave rides to people at the Topsfield Fair and became the subject of protests in recent years by animal welfare activists, has died. It is not clear when the animal died. Days later, the fair announced that she had died. Elephant At Center Of ‘Personhood’ Legal Fight Dies. The elephant belonged to R.W. Last year, PETA — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals — called on The Big E to "join the many fairs and festivals nationwide that have said a big goodbye to all wild-animal exhibits” after a photo of Minnie, another Commerford-owned elephant, went viral. Commerford & Sons Traveling Petting Zoo, Urge The Big E and Other Fairs to Drop Animal Acts, iy_2020; im_12; id_13; ih_07; imh_45; i_epoch:1607874332336, py_2020; pm_10; pd_28; ph_11; pmh_03; p_epoch:1603908213586, link-block; link-block_link-block; bodystr, pn_tstr:Wed Oct 28 11:03:33 PST 2020; pn_epoch:1603908213586, https://www.peta.org/blog/beulah-the-elephant-died-big-e-fair/. WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/20). News outlets are reporting that Beulah, the Asian elephant, who for many years appeared at the Topsfield Fair, has collapsed and died during The Big E … Beulah desperately needed to be retired, but she never was. The Nonhuman Rights Project has been pushing for Commerford to transfer Beulah, Minnie and a third elephant, Karen, to a wildlife sanctuary. Nearly four months after Beulah the elephant died, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has finally released a cause of death. Even after I left the fair, I couldn’t get the elephant out of my mind. This condition can predispose elephants to painful foot disease, which is a leading cause of death in those held captive. Commerford and Sons, who also had a petting zoo on the fair grounds. Beulah’s death should bring even more shame on The Big E and is all the more reason for the fair to stop exploiting wild animals. With two elephants’ deaths in one year, Minnie is now the sole elephant exploited by Commerford. The group issued a statement Wednesday night expressing “deep sorrow and outrage” over Beulah’s death. She was owned by the Commerford Zoo in Goshen. Beulah, Commerford and Sons’ Asian elephant, died of natural causes at the age of 54, The Big E said on Wednesday in a press release. Last Updated February 25, 2020. Commerford & Sons, which has a farm in Goshen. ), “We are brokenhearted,” said Gene Cassidy, Eastern States Exposition president, in a statement. Year after year, we’ve called on The Big E to stop supporting the torment of animals, but it’s responded only with bogus legal threats in an attempt to silence us. In 2017, Commerford received a citation for failing to provide Beulah with adequate veterinary care for overgrown cuticles. Reportedly, the USDA confirmed that Karen—another elephant owned by Commerford—died in March 2019. Below is a statement by NhRP Director of Government Relations Courtney Fern regarding elephant Beulah, whom the NhRP sought to free to a sanctuary before she collapsed and died … Tim Commerford of Commerford’s Petting Zoo in Goshen, Connecticut said Beulah died of natural causes, according to a necropsy. This is yet another example of the agency’s long-criticized “hands-off” veterinary-care policy, in which it defers to the exhibitor’s veterinarian rather than independently assessing the adequacy of care. Commerford put her in chains and used her to make money for decades without caring that such treatment destroyed both her body and mind. Current subscribers: You will continue to receive e-mail unless you explicitly opt out by clicking, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Terms for automated texts/calls from PETA: R.W. Back to School; Bride Guide; Foodie; Healthy You; Home and Garden; Teen; Orange Community Guide; Passaic Community Guide; Pike Community Guide; Sussex Community Guide Beulah was a … I first saw Beulah the elephant on a trip to the New Jersey State Fair. An online petition on Change.org has been signed by more than 358,000 people. The R.W. In a release, the Big E reported that the elephant … Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. Fair officials on Wednesday said the elephant, owned by R.W. Beulah The Elephant Dies. Beulah also looked to be overweight and unhealthy. Beulah’s handler seen here holding a bullhook. With your help, though, we can end this senseless cruelty: By submitting this form, you are agreeing to our collection, storage, use, and disclosure of your personal info in accordance with our privacy policy as well as to receiving e-mails from us. Commerford & Sons Zoo, Beulah the elephant has died. Sponsored By. Commerford and Sons of Goshen, Conn., died of natural causes at age 54. Program: WBZ News Evening Categories: News, General, Local News, WBZTV, Google. Elephant Beulah had painful infection when she died, USDA confirms. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. GOSHEN — Often described by Tim Commerford as part of the family at R.W. Commerford and Sons Zoo. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights?” READ MORE, — Ingrid E. Newkirk, PETA President and co-author of Animalkind. Commerford must do what’s right by retiring the elephant it’s still holding to a reputable sanctuary. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. “We are heartbroken," the Commerford family said. Commerford & Sons Traveling Petting Zoo, a Big E fixture, has attracted controversy for its use of elephants as fair attractions. “Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. The Commerford family asked for time to grieve before announcing Beulah’s passing, according to a statement from The Big E, adding, “She was a member of their family. PETA—along with over 100,000 concerned citizens—has called for an end to the fair’s cruel animal acts. All rights reserved (About Us). Beulah, an Asian elephant who has become a long-standing attraction at the Big E in Springfield, Mass, has died at the age of 54. Yet some fairs still support the exploitation of living, feeling beings for mere minutes of human entertainment. According to the agency, Beulah died last year at the age of 54 of sepsis developed from a uterine infection. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. But less than a week into last year’s fair, her handlers—R.W. WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Officials at The Big E have confirmed that Beulah, the Asian elephant that spent this past weekend at the fair, has died. The cause of the death of Beulah, the Asian elephant who for many years appeared at the Topsfield Fair, is unknown at this time. “We were expecting something devastating like this to happen," Becker said. Beulah was the most recent elephant at the Big E, owned by the R.W. PETA’s 40th Anniversary Party—A Star-Studded Celebration for Animal Rights, There’s No Monkey Shortage for COVID-19 Experiments Because NO Monkeys Are Needed, 40 Times PETA Blew the Lid off the Things Animal Abusers Don’t Want You to See, The 5 Most Frequently Asked PETA Questions My Friends Ask Me, a PETA Employee, You Won’t Believe These Horrifying Quotes From a PETA Investigator. Commerford & Sons put her in chains and made money off her until the day she died. I watched as they kicked her and pulled on her ears. Published September 19, 2019 by Zachary Toliver. According to the agency, Beulah died last year at the age of 54 of sepsis developed from a uterine infection. They have lost a loved one.”. Commerford and Sons died after appearing at The Big E fair in West Springfield. Beulah and other elephants had been used at the West Springfield, Massachusetts, event for years. “Beulah should have been left to enjoy family, home, and freedom in the wild — but instead, R.W. Elephant dies of natural causes, removed from Big E attraction . Fair officials on Wednesday said the elephant, owned by R.W. She suffered through these photo ops even though she had a uterine infection that had gotten so bad, it poisoned her blood and eventually killed her. (WTIC-AM) -- An elephant that had been displayed at the Big E has died.The fair says Beulah the Asian elephant died at the age of 54. She passed away at the age of 54 on Sep. 15, 2019 after being ill and collapsing numerous times. Beulah was supposed to be the featured elephant at the fair, but less than one week after her arrival in West Springfield she was removed. Beulah had been on … An elephant that was part of an I … Beulah, the beloved elephant who has appeared at Connecticut fairs and Big E events across the region has died at the age of 54. Her death should be a wake-up call, and PETA is calling on Commerford to give its remaining elephants the desperately needed retirement that Beulah never got — and on The Big E to end its exploitative wild-animal exhibits,” said David Perle, media manager for PETA. Western Mass. WEST SPRINGFIELD — Beulah, an Asian elephant slated to take part in The Big E’s 17-day run this year, has died. Asian Elephants like Beulah could live to … The only change that has been made is the ban of elephant rides, despite a petition that went in high-demand last year to ban elephants at The Big E. Unfortunately, this wasn’t enough to protect Beulah, who was brought to the fair this year. Nearly four months after Beulah the elephant died, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has finally released a cause of death. “If you truly loved Beulah, kindly remember her and the Commerford family in your thoughts and prayers. Stay up to date on the latest vegan trends and get breaking animal rights news delivered straight to your inbox! Media Contact: Lauren Choplin lchoplin@nonhumanrights.org 856-381-9447. Subscribe to MassLive.com. September 18, 2019 ... on Wednesday confirmed the death of Beulah … The 54-year-old elephant owned by R.W. The Big E says the elephant died of natural causes. The USDA’s recent confirmation that Beulah the elephant died of septicemia as a result of pyometra, a uterine infection, revealed much more than just her cause of death. One of three … After learning of Beulah’s death, a PETA spokesman emailed a statement calling on Commerford to retire its remaining elephants and urging The Big E to end exhibits using wild animals. Beulah the elephant passed away at the age of 54 due to natural causes. © 2020 Advance Local Media LLC. Beulah, the Asian elephant who for many years gave rides to people at the Topsfield Fair and became the subject of protests in recent years by animal welfare activists, has … Two elephants, including the famous Beulah at the center of the fight for personhood, died this year at R.W. (WWLP) – New answers to questions surrounding the death of an elephant at the Big E. In an interview you’ll only see on … Animal Rights Advocates has demonstrated outside The Big E gates during the fair about the exploitation of live animals, particularly at R.W. Beulah the Elephant is no longer one of the attractions at The Big E. WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. The company also owned Beulah the elephant, who died at the Big E last Sunday. The mood at the petting zoo was a bit quieter than normal Wednesday night after the news broke. Beulah was taken from her family and her home, and she was deprived of her freedom. Beulah was 54 years old and died of natural causes, the release stated. She lived in pain and died a prisoner. An elephant that was part of an I-Team story about the treatment of animals at The Big E has died. The release of that image was followed by a horrifying video showing a handler violently jerking a camel who appeared to be exhausted. Beulah was a part of a petting zoo where she was forced to give kids and teenagers rides. Last year, the fair caused public outrage after a photo of a suffering elephant named Minnie being forced to give rides to fairgoers went viral. By Courtney Fern on October 29, 2019. Commerford and Sons, which is based in Connecticut, died after appearing at The Big E fair in West Springfield. “Sadly, we have reason to believe Karen has also died while in the custody of the Commerford Zoo and have today sent a letter to the Commerford Zoo demanding that they confirm within 48 hours whether she is alive or dead,” said attorney Steven Wise, president of the Nonhuman Rights Project. Elephant at center of 'personhood' legal fight dies Sep 20, 2019 Courtesy photoBeulah, a six-ton Asian elephant that was a popular attraction at the Topsfield Fair each year, has died. Inconceivably, in a letter penned by Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to Sen. Richard Blumenthal, the USDA claimed that Beulah was receiving adequate care. "It’s been like a waiting game. (WWLP) – Beulah the Elephant from The Big E has died. Officials at The Big E have confirmed that Beulah, the Asian elephant that spent this past weekend at the fair, has died. Commerford & Sons responds to animal mistreatment allegations, describes elephants at The Big E as 'family'. We have been expecting something horrible like this to happen to Beulah.”. to experiment on, eat, wear, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way. During a bustling Connecticut day at the Big E, the elephant pen remains empty. (An Asian elephant in the wild can live up to 60 years, while the lifespan of those in captivity is much shorter, according to National Geographic. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service told 22News and News 8 Beulah has died of natural causes, … The 54-year-old elephant owned by R.W. Wild-animal shows are on their way out—circuses are shutting down or dropping their animal acts, and hundreds of venues and dozens of communities are banning them. There have been reports Beulah was ill at the fair and collapsed, said Sheryl Becker, founder and director of WMARA. Catherine Pappas, a spokeswoman for the Eastern States Exposition, on Wednesday confirmed the death of Beulah at age 54. A spokeswoman for The Big E declined to comment further on the elephant’s death. Elephant at center of ‘personhood’ legal fight dies at Big E in Springfield Beulah had also prompted movement to ban exotic animals at Topsfield Fair. Tim Commerford, age 47, has never known life without Beulah.”. Beulah, an Asian elephant, has died at the age of 54.Don Treeger / The Republican file. Connect with your community. Commerford Petting Zoo. Beulah was forced to travel and stand on concrete so that attendees of The Big E fair (formerly the Eastern States Exposition) could take photos with her. WEST SPRINGFIELD — Beulah, an Asian elephant slated to take part in The Big E’s 17-day run this year, has died. "We have lost a member of our family. Instead of allowing her to pass away peacefully at an accredited sanctuary, exploiters worked her nearly until her last breath. 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