Press Release from Alaska Zoo Board of Directors regarding Maggie the elephant

PRESS RELEASE
Date: June 6, 2007
Contact: Dick Thwaites, President
Alaska Zoo Board of Directors

Alaska Zoo Board of Directors Votes to Relocate Maggie if Certain Criteria Can Be Met

Anchorage, AK - The Alaska Zoo Board of Directors voted Tuesday to relocate Maggie, the zoo's lone elephant, to a facility outside Alaska contingent upon receiving favorable information concerning health, location, mode of travel and cost implications.

Dick Thwaites, board president, said a primary focus and concern for the board is to ensure Maggie is physically fit for travel and the stress of relocation. Elephant experts have advised it is inherently risky to transport large animals and great care must be taken to ensure the chances for success.

"The devil is in the details," Thwaites said.

Factors include:

• Potential relocation options be determined by staff and approved by the board.

• Cooperatively obtain health assessments by Zoo staff and receiving facility professionals. The board is requiring health assessments of Maggie by two Outside veterinarians to determine her fitness for travel to the new location.

• Investigation of air and subsequent ground transportation options to get Maggie from a flight landing field to her new location; the board specified air travel as the only acceptable transport mode to Outside, in accordance with experts' advice.

• Selection of professional animal transporters to work with Zoo staff to facilitate a safe move and to handle such matters as acquiring a crate for elephant transport.

• No hard costs for the move or reliable estimates can be made at this time. Those costs include air and ground transportation for Maggie, services of the professional transport team, health assessments by Outside veterinarians and travel and expenses for an Alaska Zoo's caretaker to help Maggie transition to her new environment. The board was advised some facilities also may require ongoing support for Maggie.

Thwaites said, "Every effort will be made to expedite a move if and when all the factors for a successful move are favorably addressed." It is impossible to forecast how much time that will take, given so many variables.

The board's obligations are to health and welfare of Maggie, the Zoo and its visitors. We are committed to continue a thoughtful, deliberate, and responsible process in this serious and challenging matter. It is a time-consuming and complex process, and we appreciate the professionalism of the staff and cooperation of a supportive community.

In the meantime, we continue to provide Maggie with the highest level of care possible, and encourage everyone to appreciate and enjoy her.

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4731 O'Malley Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99507 (907)346-2133 FAX (907)346-2673