Judge denies emergency request to stop transfer of LA Zoo elephants Billy and Tina to Tulsa Zoo

A judge on Thursday declined a request for a temporary restraining order that would have halted the Los Angeles Zoo's plan to transfer elephants Billy and Tina to the Tulsa Zoo.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant said the issue would be better handled through the City Council rather than in the courts.

Outside the downtown courthouse, activists who want to see Billy and Tina transferred to an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee -- and not to the Tulsa Zoo -- voiced their disappointment in the judge's ruling.

"I'm just disgusted and I am outraged that I live in a city that would allow this type of cruelty," activist Sarah Segal said.

Another advocate for the elephants, Sandra Bell, pleaded with Los Angeles residents to "please lobby for Billy and Tina to be left alone for now and not be sent to any zoo but look into sending them to the Tennessee sanctuary where many elephants that have been blessed with a happy life."

According to the L.A. Zoo, Billy and Tina are being transferred to the Tulsa Zoo because it has more space for them and to also be with other elephants.

"Visitors to the L.A. Zoo have enjoyed watching and learning from Billy and Tina for years," a spokesperson for the L.A. Zoo said in a statement provided to ABC7. "The difficult decision to relocate them was made in consultation with, and on the recommendation of, experts from around the country affiliated with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Zoo goes on to say "Ultimately, this decision , as is the case with all animal care decisions at the L.A. Zoo, is driven by the unwavering commitment to the health and wellbeing of the animals."

In his ruling Thursday, the judge encouraged the public to contact the L.A. City Council and Mayor Karen Bass's office.

Melissa Lerner, an attorney representing the advocates, said people should contact the mayor's office and "tell her that this is unconscionable and that L.A. should be on the right side of history and not in the dark ages. We should be leading the way to protecting wildlife."

Lerner said the lawsuit to prevent the transfer of Billy and Tina to Tulsa will continue.

The L.A. Zoo has not said when the transfer of the elephants will take place.

City News Service contributed to this report.