The biggest attraction at the Edmonton Valley Zoo is expected to remain in her current home for the rest of her life.
Several concerns with Lucy the elephant’s health have led experts to believe she will likely die if moved to a sanctuary or another facility.
Over the last several years, Lucy’s health concerns have been the focal point of decision-making regarding where she is best suited to live. Animal rights activists – most notably the late “The Price is Right” game show host Bob Barker – had been asking that she be transferred to a sanctuary in a warmer climate.
“When she is just mildly stimulated and is in a mildly stressful environment, or engages in some physical activity, she has trouble breathing,” Gary Dewar, director of the Edmonton Valley Zoo, said Wednesday.
The 49-year-old elephant’s latest health assessment also determined she could live another 10 to 15 years.
The Edmonton Valley Zoo says Lucy may be the zoo’s last ever elephant, as management now feels the animal is no longer a viable option for the future.
And it’s not a guarantee that zoo goers will even have a chance to see Lucy when they visit; she’s been retired from scheduled appearances and effectively does whatever she wants, whenever she wants.
“Lucy was brought in in the 1970s where every zoo had to have an elephant. We’re not there anymore,” said zoo veterinarian Marie-Josée Limoges.
One of the elephant experts in this year’s assessment of Lucy stated she should not be kept with other elephants as she does not have any protection against a highly fatal form of elephant herpes.
She still has a sizeable tumor in her uterus and can only breathe through her mouth, but her feet are in good condition after losing over 1,000 pounds due to a change in diet, and her overall health is described as good for her age.
The zoo is being given credit by independent experts for the level of care Lucy is receiving, and the zoo says it continues making enhancements to Lucy’s enclosure.
“There’s a bunch of construction going on actually right now,” Dewar said. “We’re upgrading her heat and ventilation system in both her indoor facilities, and have engaged in the preliminary planning to undertake a significant expansion.”
The zoo’s experts say they likely won’t have any new insight into her existing health conditions until she passes away and can be examined.