Welcome to Friends of Lucy

UNDENIABLE TRUTHS

Ele-Beacons of Hope

	Shirley – from the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo to The Elephant Sanctuary On July 6, 1999, Shirley retired to The Elephant Sanctuary. The "magic" for Shirley was just beginning!
	Maggie – from the Alaska Zoo to PAWS In November 2007, Maggie retired from the Alaska Zoo and was relocated to PAWS ARK 2000 sanctuary in California.
	Tina – from The Greater Vancouver Zoo to The Elephant Sanctuary On August 11, 2003, after a 3000 mile, 3.5 day cross-country trip, Tina arrived at The Elephant Sanctuary.

Lucy’s Team’s Commitment

For over 4 years, Zoocheck Canada, PETA, and many concerned citizens have been advocating on behalf of Lucy and campaigning to convince the city of Edmonton in Alberta, Canada, to release Lucy, the Edmonton Zoo's sole pachyderm, to a sanctuary. In January 2007, elephant biologist Winnie Kiiru identified the Edmonton Valley Zoo as the worst zoo in Canada for elephants. We continue to be committed to Lucy and securing a better way of life for her.

Lucy also has celebrity support - Bob Barker, William Shatner, and Margaret Atwood have all asked the City of Edmonton to let Lucy retire to a warmer climate where she can socialize with other elephants and be given freedom of choice for the first time in her life.

After 33 years of service to the City, without her consent, is that really too much to ask?

Interesting Facts:

In 1997, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia became the first town to ban all circuses, travelling by land or sea, with exotic animals in tow. Although at least four circuses still tour Canada each year with elephant acts, thirty-seven other municipalities across the country—in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland—no longer welcome them to town.

In November 2009, the Central Zoo Authority in India issued a directive stating that all elephants will no longer be seen at any zoos or circuses in the country. Approximately 140 elephants will be moved to national parks, sanctuaries, and reserves. The directive sent by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) says zoos and circuses are "not the best places for the large animals" which "require a large area to move about freely".