To: The Mayor of Edmonton, Edmonton City Council, and the Edmonton Valley Zoo

We, the undersigned, urge Lucy’s retirement to Tennessee Elephant Sanctuary in 2025 for her well-being.

As individuals who care deeply for the emotional and physical and psychological well-being of animals, we are saddened by Lucy’s situation. She has been living in isolation at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, despite overwhelming evidence that elephants suffer greatly when deprived of social companionship. This is a violation of fundamental CAZA standards. The Tennessee Elephant Sanctuary can provide her with much-needed companionship, space, and expert medical care, yet this opportunity is being denied.

Lucy’s recent Health Assessment completed by Dennis Schmitt and Daryll Hoffman in 2024 states that “she is healthy and can survive several more years at the zoo.” However, retiring her to a sanctuary could allow her even more years to live. 

Why Lucy Needs Sanctuary

• Health & Lifespan: Experts confirm Lucy "could survive a move," and a sanctuary could extend her life.
• Welfare Violations: Keeping a lone elephant violates CAZA and Alberta standards requiring female elephants to live in groups of three.
• Ignored Expert Recommendations: For over a decade, necessary upgrades have been neglected, leaving Lucy in an unsuitable climate, extremely limited indoor and outdoor space and poor air quality in her tiny barn.
• Misleading health Assessments: All the assessments that recommend keeping Lucy in Edmonton were performed by Zoo vets or reproductive specialists; not elephant experts.
• Expert Support for Transport: Renowned elephant experts who assessed Lucy are ready to ensure Lucy’s safe relocation.
• Financial Considerations: Transporting Lucy costs taxpayers nothing, whereas keeping her costs approximately $300,000 annually, with upgrades exceeding approximately $1 million.
• Reputation & Public Support: The Edmonton Valley Zoo has made the list of the top 10 worst zoos for elephants in North America by the organization. In Defense of Animals a total of 11 times since 2010, taking the number one and two positions five times.  

EEHV Risk Mitigation
The risk of Lucy contracting EEHV (Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus) is minimal. EEHV primarily affects juvenile elephants, with most cases occurring in elephants under 10 years old. Cases of elephants over 20 are extremely rare.

Accredited sanctuaries like Tennessee have rigorous health and quarantine protocols. Before any new elephant is introduced, comprehensive screenings and quarantines minimize exposure risks.

It’s also essential to weigh the risk of EEHV against the ongoing stresses of Lucy’s current environment. Chronic cold exposure, lack of socialization, and limited space contribute to long-term physiological and psychological strain. A sanctuary provides a climate and enrichment opportunities that far outweigh any risks when proper precautions are taken. An Elephant Sanctuary provides elephant expert medical care which Lucy is going to need as she ages and the Edmonton Zoo will not be able to provide her that.

Request for Action

Lucy is retired from the public according to Edmonton Valley Zoo and deserves the opportunity  to live in an environment that prioritizes her natural behaviors, social connections, and overall quality of life.

Please sign this petition to support Lucy's well-being and advocate for informed, thoughtful decisions about her safe move to Tennessee Sanctuary in 2025.

This is at no cost to the City of Edmonton and represents the most compassionate path forward.

Sign this petition to give Lucy the life she deserves.