Elephant from Edmonton zoo headed to North Carolina facility
2007-09-26
Canadian Press
One of the biggest attractions - literally - at Edmonton's Valley Zoo
has left town.
Samantha, a 19-year-old, 3,200-kilogram African elephant, was put on a specially
designed truck Wednesday headed for an elephant facility in Asheboro, N.C.
Zoo officials said in a news release that the convoy had successfully crossed
the American border and would hopefully arrive in North Carolina by the weekend.
The aim of the move is to have Samantha participate in the U.S. zoo's breeding
program, which aims to furnish animals for the North American captive
population.
Dean Treichel of the Edmonton zoo has said the program is also important for the
overall health of the species.
But an animal rights activist disagrees and says it will hurt the zoo's
remaining elephant.
In its news release, the zoo said Samantha will join three other elephants in a
herd that could grow to eight by the end of the year.
"It's the right decision for Samantha and her species, and is a decision based
on conservation," said the news release. "Samantha is a viable reproductive
female and should be in a facility where a breeding program exists."
Zoo officials have noted that elephants are extremely social animals and breed
better when in a larger group.
Samantha's departure leaves the Edmonton zoo's other elephant, a 31-year-old
Asian named Lucy, all alone.
Since Lucy has lived in captivity at the Edmonton facility for 29 years, zoo
officials said it would be in her best interests to stay there.
"Lucy is highly habituated and is drawn to humans rather than to elephants,"
said zoo officials. "To help in any transition Lucy might experience, elephant
keepers will be spending additional time with Lucy and ensuring that she is
given lots of attention, activity and enrichment. Cameras have been installed so
that Lucy can be monitored (around the clock)."
Zoo officials said Lucy is treated daily for arthritis and medical experts are
trying to figure out why she developed a chronic respiratory condition that
causes her breathing difficulty.
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