Elephant unsuited to Alaska, activists say

ANCHORAGE — Alaska's only elephant has been confined too long in dangerous conditions, animal advocates said Monday, a day after the 7,500-pound animal had to be hoisted to her feet because she could not get up on her own.

Anchorage firefighters used straps and a winch to lift Maggie on Sunday evening after she had lain down for 10 to 19 hours at the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage. The compressed weight of the animal's bulk could have caused breathing and other problems — or even killed her.

The incident renewed calls for the 25-year-old African elephant to be transferred to a warmer climate where she can exercise more and be around other elephants.

"It's time to get her out of Alaska," said veterinarian Elliot Katz, president of the San Rafael, Calif.-based In Defense of Animals.

"The longer the wait, the more this unnatural and abusive environment will cause severe damage to her feet and joints, until it becomes irreversible."

Maggie might have had colic, which could have weakened her, according to zoo officials, who said Monday the elephant seems fine, is walking around and is eating normally. Blood tests are under way to determine what led to the incident, said zoo director Pat Lampi.

He said concerns are focused on ensuring that Maggie is OK, not on responding to criticism from animal groups.

Zookeepers also are keeping a round-the-clock watch on Maggie, who spends the colder half of the year in a 1,600-square-foot concrete enclosure.

A blood sample taken Sunday afternoon showed Maggie's blood-sugar levels had dropped, said veterinarian Todd Palmatier, whose office provides services to the zoo.

Animal advocates said the conditions of Maggie's confinement have taken a toll and that varied terrain would strengthen her muscles. They scoffed at claims by zoo officials that transporting her outside the state and subjecting her to new animals could be excessively stressful.

"That's a cop-out," said Les Schobert, a zoo consultant and former curator. "They should have moved that elephant years ago."