Part 2 of this 4-part investigative news series explores the hidden realities of the elephant breeding program at the Oregon Zoo. This segment, revealed by award-winning, investigative journalist Carla Castano, uncovers troubling practices, including inbreeding among Portland’s elephants and the institutional cover-ups that followed. Through interviews, internal documents, and expert commentary, the report reveals how breeding decisions impacted the elephants’ health, well-being, and genetic diversity, raising ethical questions about transparency, the definition of conservation, and the true cost of captivity.
