Edmonton Elephant Lucy is 47 years old. what happens when she dies?

tomtidgewellNovember 6, 2022

“She will probably have more and more health issues as she ages. We are doing our best to alleviate them and prepare her as much as possible for the future. ”

Lucy the Elephant walks through the Edmonton Valley Zoo on June 25, 2019. Photo by David Bloom /post media, file

Edmonton’s beloved elephant, Lucy, turns 47 this year. This exceeds the life expectancy of captive Asian elephants.

It may sound morbid, but Lucy will die in the not too distant future. The Edmonton Valley Zoo plans to upgrade her enclosure, including a pool that she and other large animals can use, but also plans for her eventual demise.

Zoo director Gary Dewar expects her to live 5 to 10 years. If she leaves, many will be devastated, including him.

“It’s inevitable that one day Lucy will die. It will be a very sad day. I’m sorry I got a little emotional myself. For people around the world who are here,” he said in an interview with the Post Media last week.

Lucy has a longstanding health problem. It breathes mainly through its mouth because it has a stuffy nose, which is rare for an elephant. Dr. Dewar said he couldn’t determine what was preventing her from breathing without sedating her, but experts don’t recommend that.

This also makes exercise difficult, which is a problem because she is overweight.

Lucy the elephant takes a morning walk at the Edmonton Valley Zoo on March 23, 2021. Photo by Ed Kaiser /post media, file

“Down” drill uses an inflatable pad

As of October 2021, Lucy’s flexibility was still good.

Eventually it becomes difficult to climb up and down. Zoos are training to prepare.

“It hasn’t happened yet, but I understand that as she gets older, that problem could arise. said Dewar.

“We’ll have Lucy lie down, insert an inflatable pad under her to inflate it, and work with the fire department to get Lucy upright again.

Experts offer suggestions to improve her health, including physical therapy.

“As she gets older, she’s probably going to have more and more health issues. We’re doing our best to mitigate them and be as prepared as possible for what the future holds.” .

When she does, her body will be sent to the state veterinary office at the OS Longman Building in Edmonton, as is the practice with other animals at the zoo.

“An autopsy will be performed to help us understand what caused her death and what was the obstruction in the trunk,” Dewar said. “Then Lucy will be cremated.” .”

“I know it sounds a little morbid… but it’s inevitable that Lucy will die one day.”

It is often said that the average age of elephants in captivity in North America is 45 years old. But many live into his 50s, and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute puts the life expectancy of a female Asian elephant at 47.

The life expectancy of Asian elephants is not fully understood either in the wild or in captivity. More research is being done on African elephants. Another study by the University of Guelph in 2008 found that they live much shorter lives in zoos, especially if they were born in captivity. In the European zoos surveyed, the average is 19 years.

Julie King protests the capture of Lucy the Elephant at the Edmonton Valley Zoo on January 2, 2021. On December 29, 2020, animal activist Jane Goodall posted a video of her message urging Edmonton City Council to “free Lucy the lone elephant.” Retire in “a more humane setting”. Goodall called for Lucy to be moved from the Edmonton Valley Zoo to a Tennessee sanctuary, adding a new voice to the campaign to free the elephant after almost 45 years in captivity. Photo by Larry Wong /post media

heritage

Lucy, also known as Skanik, arrived in Edmonton in 1977 at the age of two from Pinnewala Animal Orphanage in Sri Lanka. She became an integral part of plans to expand the zoo into an attraction, then named Storyland Valley Zoo.

Lucy is the only elephant at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, but that wasn’t always the case.

The city attempted to recruit her twice beginning in the late 1980s. Her first attempt was unsuccessful, but when Samantha, an orphaned baby elephant, was introduced in 1989, she assumed the role of her mother. The two stayed together until Samasa was moved to another zoo in 2007.

Keeping her alone at the zoo is controversial.

Animal rights activists have been demanding for years that she be sent to a sanctuary. They took the issue to her Supreme Court of Canada in 2012, where the application was dismissed. But groups like Lucy’s Edmonton Advocates’ Project (LEAP) continue to put pressure on zoos. Celebrities such as Ricky Gervais, Cher and Bob Barker also appealed for her to be sent to sanctuary. Rated as an elephant.

The zoo claims that Lucy gets along better with humans than elephants and is unable to move due to her health.

Dewar said the zoo and the Valley Zoo Development Association are discussing a legacy program to remember her after she passes away, but no details have been finalized.

“We will definitely seek out opportunities for those who want to recognize and celebrate Lucy as someone we will remember fondly,” Dewar said.