The highly anticipated Alaska Zoo Board
meeting last night wrapped
up without a decision
about Maggie the elephant. (KTUU-TV)
The Zoo's Board said it needs more time to review public opinion,
input from experts and options for Maggie's possible relocation.
(KTUU-TV)
The Zoo Board conducted a comprehensive review regarding the same
topic in 2004 and Zoo Director Pat Lampi was among those who voted
in to relocate Maggie. (KTUU-TV)
The 2,700 acre Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tenn., extended
an invitation in 2004 to care for Maggie. Co-founder
Carol Buckley said that invitation is still open.
(Courtesy Photo)
Board President Dick Thwaites said he needs more information before
deciding on the move. (Rich Jordan/KTUU-TV)
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ANCHORAGE,
Alaska -- The highly anticipated Alaska Zoo Board
meeting last night wrapped up without a decision about Maggie.
Instead of a conclusion to the ongoing saga of Alaska's only
African elephant, more questions were raised at the meeting.
It appears Maggie the elephant will not be going
anywhere anytime soon. At a meeting called in response to a
request by the Anchorage Assembly, the Zoo's Board said it needs
more time to review public opinion, input from experts and options
for Maggie's possible relocation.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Spokesperson
Linda Whatne said she doesn't understand the decision.
"I don't think much more examination is needed
to determine that Maggie needs to get out of the Alaska Zoo," Whatne
said.
The Board has recently received thousands of responses
from the public, but discussions about moving Maggie go back
at least to 2002.
The Zoo Board conducted a comprehensive review
regarding the same topic in 2004 and Zoo Director Pat Lampi
was among those who voted in to relocate Maggie.
When asked if he still believes Maggie should
be moved, Lampi said he will withhold his opinion for the Board
and staff.
The 2,700 acre Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald,
Tenn., extended an invitation in 2004 to care
for Maggie. Co-founder Carol Buckley said that invitation is
still open.
"I think if they, when they really look at
the reality of Maggie's life and the options open to her right
now today, I think a caring and responsible board would definitely
decide to move her," Buckley said.
Board President Dick Thwaites said he still needs
more information.
"Really, we want to learn as much as we can
about the process. We think that if Maggie does need to be moved
to another facility, it probably has to be by air and that's
a very expensive process," Thwaites said.
PETA reports it's been contacted by people who
are willing to contribute financially to relocate Maggie. A
week ago, the organization offered its own money toward the
effort as well.
"We offered to send the zoo's director, Pat
Lampi, all expenses paid to the elephant sanctuary in Tennessee,
so he could see firsthand the kind of incredible opportunity
that Maggie could have at one of the sanctuaries in the country.
And that offer stands," Whatne said.
PETA said it has yet to receive a response to
its offer.
The Board is scheduled to meet again in a week,
with a decision not expected until August. Maggie will have
those long summer days in the meantime.
Each of the organizations interviewed today noted
the significance of the decision ahead of the Board. Should
the board decide to move Maggie, Carol Buckley from the sanctuary
said it will take a lot of work and cooperation to prepare her.
Buckley said air travel would prove to be the
best for Maggie. If that is to happen, a container would need
to be built specifically for her dimensions. She would also
need to be conditioned to move into the box and to become comfortable
with it. All parties involved want to ensure that Maggie is
in optimal health for such a move.
Contact Cara Christiansen at cchristiansen@ktuu.com |
