Still No Love For Lucy (February 14, 2011)

Post date: Feb 18, 2011 6:37:37 PM

Edmonton Journal, Letter to the Editor

For years now, the Valley Zoo and the City of Edmonton have failed to provide any consistent rational account of the condition and treatment of Lucy the elephant. Her health problems demand expert and fully transparent examination.

Zoocheck Canada has offered to negotiate with the zoo to allow a panel of expert veterinarians to review Lucy's many health problems. There can be no possible excuse for refusing such an offer. To do so raises questions about the zoo's real commitment to Lucy's health, and to its understanding of the professional ethics of veterinary scientists.

Lucy's situation continues to gather the sort of attention around the world that does the city of Edmonton no credit.

Signed,

Dr. Joyce Poole, co-director, Elephant Voices, Kenya and Norway; David Hancocks, architect, author and former zoo director, Australia; Catherine Doyle, elephant campaign, In Defense of Animals, California; Lisa Kane JD, advocate for elephants, Wisconsin; Carol Buckley, president and CEO, Elephant Aid International , Tennessee; Will Travers, CEO, Born Free Foundation, U.K.; Adam Roberts, president, Born Free Foundation, U.S. ; Peter Stroud, zoological consultant and former zoo director, Australia