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Fate of Billy the Elephant's Home Goes to City Council Today

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The LA City Council is fielding general public comment right now, but behind them in a packed council chambers is are animal lovers, activists and experts waiting to speak on whether the six acre pachyderm forest exhibit for LA Zoo's lone elephant, Billy, should stay continue construction or continue to be on hold.

On Monday, both sides--including celebrities Bob Barker and Slash from Guns N' Roses--duked it out at a city council committee. A today's meeting, Barker, Cher and Lily Tomlin will speak.

"The new Pachyderm Forest will provide Billy and other Asian elephants not only with more space than Asian elephants now enjoy at the San Diego Wild Animal Park, but also with a level of personal care and state-of-the-art veterinary services they simply won’t get anywhere else," Connie Morgan, President of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, said. "Jack Hanna, one of the world’s best known animal care experts, calls the habitat 'A model for humane elephant care that will educate generations to come on the threats Asian elephants face in the wild.'"

The other side begs to differ. If you want to watch the Elephant debate, go to Channel 35 and tune in right now. You can also watch online.

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