Edmonton Valley Zoo plans to upgrade Lucy the elephant’s habitat to include a therapeutic wading pool, Postmedia has learned
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Edmonton Valley Zoo plans to upgrade Lucy the elephant’s habitat to include a therapeutic wading pool, Postmedia learned one day after animal rights advocates named the zoo the worst on the continent for elephants.
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An animal care expert who assessed the 46-year-old animal’s health last year recommended adding a permanent wading pool to her habitat which would create an “enriching experience,” allow for low-impact exercise and give her the chance to take the weight off her feet and legs. On Tuesday, In Defense of Animals listed the city’s zoo as the worst for elephants on the continent amid calls from advocates to move her to a sanctuary.
But zoo director Gary Dewar said Wednesday discussions about building her a pool have happened behind the scenes since the October report, and the zoo is looking to include a pool that could also be repurposed for other animals as part of the $50.3 million renovations already approved for the second phase of Nature’s Wild Backyard. Upgrades to Lucy’s habitat weren’t part of the original plans for this project but they see the need, he said.
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“There’s access to ponds and water in her back area that she gets to enjoy, but obviously that’s not an amenity she gets to enjoy year-round,” he said.
“It wasn’t a complete revelation that we should have a pool, but given the state of her health and her arthritis, one of the fellows who participated in the assessment really reinforced the need for that, and so that’s where it brought it more to the forefront.”
Building a pool to suit her needs isn’t easy to do—each aquatic area is built to suit particular animals—but Dewar hopes it can be done as part of this phase of renovations.
“There’s certainly some urgency, and that’s why plan A (is) adjusting specifications for a pool that’s already been designed. It’s much more efficient and practical and will happen much quicker,” he said. “It’s highly specialized and not like a standard pool … I wish it was as simple as digging a hole, throwing concrete in, filling it with water and calling it a day.”
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If not, the zoo plans to ask council for funding in the next budget cycle — and for help from the non-profit Valley Zoo Development Society — to support her habitat since the elephant can’t be moved to a sanctuary because of her health concerns , he said.
‘Everybody wants what’s best for Lucy’
Dewar said the zoo wants what’s best for her as advocates and the public do.
“Everybody cares about Lucy. Activist groups care about Lucy, LEAP cares about Lucy … everybody wants what’s best for Lucy, and that’s what I want,” he said.
“If we could safely move Lucy to a place that could provide her with the care and attention she requires, we would, but unfortunately, moving Lucy in her current condition… is very high-risk with a very real possibility that she could die on -route.”
Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said Wednesday the well-being of Lucy has always been at the forefront of officials and they have been doing what they can to create as much comfort for Lucy.
Sohi said he hasn’t seen what the zoo will be requesting but expects the zoo will do what they can to ensure her well-being and comfort is looked after, and the budget discussion will take place at an appropriate time.
More to eat…
