Garden City ? A second animal-rights group is criticizing the Lee Richardson Zoo because of the habitat it provides for its elephants.

In Defense of Animals, based in Mill Valley, Calif., made the Garden City zoo fifth on its list of “worst zoos for elephants,” calling the barn the two elephants have a jail cell.

“Its space is quite small, and it’s an egregious example of how urban zoo environments don’t take into account the natural needs of elephants,” said Rae Leann Smith, a Chicago-based spokeswoman for the group.

That comes nearly eight months after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals called on the Garden City zoo to move its African elephants — Moki and Chana — to a sanctuary with more space.

Zoo Director Dan Baffa called the charges of mistreatment “balderdash” and said the groups were trying to promote themselves.

If In Defense of Animals is concerned, “why don’t they send some money to us?” he asked.

The zoo is trying to raise $175,000 to finance construction of a larger barn area for the elephants to meet new standards set by the American Zoo and Aquarium Assn., an accrediting body.

The elephants currently live in a 775-square-foot barn space, with access to 5,000 square feet of outdoor space.

By May 2006 — the deadline for compliance with the new standards — the zoo plans to have three pens measuring a total of 1,800 square feet, which would exceed the guidelines. Later, zoo officials hope to triple the outside acreage at the elephants’ disposal.

Smith noted that San Francisco recently passed an ordinance requiring the zoo there to provide a minimum of 15 acres, or more than 650,000 square feet, for its elephants.

“We believe that minimum is a minimum all zoos should strive for,” she said.

Smith said it would be even better if the Garden City zoo sent its elephants to one of two elephant sanctuaries in the United States, using money earmarked for the expansion elsewhere.

In the wild, elephants roam 30 to 50 miles a day, Smith said. In a confined zoo setting, they are more susceptible to foot infections, joint problems and degenerative diseases, among other things, she said.

In Defense of Animals called the Anchorage Zoo in Alaska the worst place for elephants because of the cold there.

Next were zoos in San Diego, Chicago and Los Angeles.