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ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Alaska Zoo has agreed to move the world's most northerly elephant to a warmer climate amid mounting pressure over her welfare but faces the dilemma of how to transport the 3600-kg animal.
Following years of controversy over Alaska's sole elephant, the decision to move Maggie was finally made by the zoo's board this month after she fell twice and zoo officials struggled for hours to get her back to her feet.
The falls and her ill health renewed calls from animal rights activists for the African elephant, who is aged about 25, to be moved to a warmer environment with other elephants.
But Pat Lampi, director of the Alaska Zoo, said the logistics of moving Maggie were not easy as it involved finding a new home, securing space on a large cargo plane, and making sure she is healthy enough for the long journey.
"We're looking into all of the things we need to (do)," said Lampi.
For years, animal rights activists and many elephant experts have campaigned to have Maggie moved from her relatively cramped, cold Alaska quarters to an elephant sanctuary further south in the United States.
They were also worried about Maggie being lonely as elephants are a herd animal.
The state's only other elephant, Annabelle, who was abandoned in Alaska after being used in a toilet paper promotion, died in 1997.
But opponents voiced fears that such a long journey would be traumatic for Maggie, who came to Alaska in 1983 as a baby rescued from an African cull.
Zoo officials experimented with several improvements to Maggie's barn and yard, such as installing a one-of-a-kind elephant treadmill to make her exercise more.
But after the recent falls, the zoo board voted to heed the advice of the pro-move advocates.
Lampi said possible new homes for Maggie include sanctuaries in California and Tennessee. The California sanctuary, which is used as a haven for retired performing animals, has offered to help pay for Maggie's move, he said.
The animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has offered to chip in US$10,000 ($13,487) and other assistance.
At the zoo, visitors expressed mixed feelings about Maggie's impending departure.
"I don't want her to go, but I know she must," said Margie Hill, who was visiting the zoo recently with family members. "She's my favourite at the zoo."
- REUTERS
