Animal rights supporters in Nevada County showed in force at a follow-up meeting from the Nevada County Fairgrounds Board of Directors meeting in June in which the Board , through lack of a motion, agreed to maintain the contract with Have Trunk Will Travel to provide elephant rides at the Nevada County Fair. Leaders from Animal Defenders International, Center for Animal Protection and Education, and Coalition of Animal Welfare and Support rallied the support of 80 plus people at a meeting in the Holbrooke Hotel to take action. According to Shelly Frost of CAPE, the action is the elimination of the elephant rides from the Nevada County Fair.
Click here to listen to Shelley Frost

Matt Rossel from Animal Defender International presented the video evidence his organization collected over an 8 week period in 2005. The video presents a life of abuse and cruelty for the elephants that are part of Have Trunk Will Travel.
Click here to listen to Matt Rossel

The video has been contested by Have Trunk Will Travel. A representative for the company says it has been edited, and taken out of context.
Shelly Frost from CAPE shares the action the groups are taking to confront the Board and enlist support from the community.
Click here to listen to Shelley Frost

Kathy Montiero from CAWS says the large number of animal rights supporters in Nevada County are offended by the Board’s decision.
Click here to listen to Kathy Montiero

A number of subcommittees are forming to support various strategies to gather and present information to the Nevada County Fairgrounds Board at the July 16 meeting.