Actor Samuel L. Jackson has added his voice to the growing chorus of animal rights activists urging the relocation of elephants Billy and Tina from the Tulsa Zoo to a sanctuary. This renewed push comes as Tina, 59, is currently suffering from a serious health issue in Oklahoma.

Relocation from L.A. and Current Health Concerns

Billy and Tina were transferred from the Los Angeles Zoo to the Tulsa Zoo in May of last year. L.A. Zoo officials stated at the time that the move was necessary so the elephants could join a larger social herd, which L.A. could not provide.

However, animal welfare groups argue that the elephants have not benefited from the change. Courtney Scott, an elephant consultant with In Defense of Animals, noted that the pair exhibited signs of chronic stress behavior, such as swaying and head bobbing, in L.A., which she claims has intensified in Tulsa.

Tina's Infection and Billy's Risks

Tina is currently battling a uterine infection accompanied by an abnormal fluid buildup, which the Tulsa Zoo identifies as a potential side effect of reproductive tract disease common in older female elephants. The zoo stated that antibiotics alone may not fully resolve the condition, warning it could become life-threatening.

Meanwhile, 40-year-old Billy faces the potential for invasive sperm extractions, according to Scott. Despite the health concerns, the Tulsa Zoo reports that Tina remains "bright and engaged" and greets her keepers.

Activist Pressure and Celebrity Support

In Defense of Animals has previously ranked the Tulsa Zoo among the ten worst zoos for elephants, citing overcrowding and a controversial breeding program. Samuel L. Jackson emphasized the urgency in a statement, asserting, "Continued exploitation and denial of their freedom is making them worse, and time is running out!"

Jackson follows previous celebrity advocates for the elephants, including Cher, Lily Tomlin, and the late Bob Barker. Activists claim that sanctuaries in Georgia, Cambodia, and the Performing Animal Welfare Society in Northern California are prepared to accept both elephants.

Background of Billy and Tina

Billy and Tina share a strong bond, having lived together for over 15 years, communicating through touch and vocalizations. Billy arrived at the L.A. Zoo in 1989 after being relocated from Malaysia, where his herd was culled for palm and rubber plantation expansion.

Tina joined the L.A. Zoo in 2010 after being confiscated from a private owner and undergoing rehabilitation at the San Diego Zoo. For years, advocates pushed for their relocation, but the L.A. Zoo defended its care.

The L.A. Zoo's Rationale for Transfer

The L.A. Zoo did not cite health reasons for the 2025 relocation. Instead, the decision followed the euthanasia of two older elephants, Jewel (2023) and Shaunzi (2024), due to age-related issues.

Without these members, the zoo no longer met the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) standard requiring at least three Asian elephants. The zoo stated it was impossible to acquire new elephants, leading to the "difficult decision" to transfer Billy and Tina.

The L.A. Zoo stated that expert recommendations from around the country favored the Tulsa Zoo based on criteria like space, facilities, and herd dynamics. L.A. Zoo Director Denise Verret cited the Toronto Zoo losing accreditation after sending elephants to a sanctuary by council direction.

Efforts by L.A. City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield and an L.A. resident lawsuit to halt the transfer were ultimately unsuccessful.