What happened to the elephants at the Calgary Zoo?

Spike, the bull, and Maharani used to live at the Calgary Zoo. Four years ago, they were separated when the elephant exhibit closed. Rani, as she's known, moved to the Smithsonian's National Zoo in D.C. with two other female Asian elephants from Alberta. Spike was moved to Tampa, Fla.



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The Calgary Zoo announced in April 2012 that it would relocate its elephants based on their long-term welfare needs. The National Zoo was chosen as the new home for the elephants in August 2013.

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The Calgary Zoo announced a plan Thursday to move its four elephants out of the facility in the next few years. Zoo president Clément Lanthier said the decision to move the endangered Asian elephants to another accredited zoo within four to five years was made in the best interest of the animals.

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In recent years, some larger zoos such as the Toronto Zoo and San Francisco Zoo have phased out their elephant programs, sending their aging animals to sanctuaries in the United States that have far more space.

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A supply of bamboo imperilled by the global pandemic's disruption of travel left the zoo no choice but to cut short the stay of Da Mao and Er Shun, who would otherwise have been in Calgary until 2023.

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But as the waters rose late last week, the zoo's two hippos escaped their enclosure, giving them free rein over the entire building.

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There have not been polar bears at the zoo since 1999, when the controversial exhibit was shut down after the death of Misty. The bear was suffering from arthritis and had reportedly been given Prozac, an antidepressant, to control its pacing and erratic behaviour.

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The Toronto Zoo is the biggest zoos in Canada and is home to more than 5000 animals from more than 450 species.

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The zoo claims that this is because of a three-year contract it has with the China Wildlife Conservation Association.

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After 25 years at Lion Country Safari, the peaceful pachyderms are moving to other elephant-friendly places in the United States.

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Some information may no longer be current. Tina, the Asian elephant with the ailing feet, has died in Tennessee. The 34-year-old pachyderm was transferred last August to the Elephant Sanctuary at Hohenwald, about 100 kilometres southwest of Nashville.

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Demolition. Nearby residents began to complain that rats were inhabiting the elephant and searching for food in their homes; and from the late 1820s, petitioned for demolition. The model elephant was not removed until 1846 by which time it showed considerable wear.

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