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December 4, 2024
An independent assessment of Lucy earlier this fall states the 49-year-old Asian elephant at the Edmonton Valley Zoo continues to do well despite ongoing health challenges in her advancing years.
Earlier this year, two independent elephant experts, Dr. Dennis Schmitt and Mr. Daryl Hoffman, assessed Lucy and her care at the Edmonton Valley Zoo. Neither Dr. Schmitt nor Mr. Hoffman had assessed Lucy previously. Their main focus was to perform a medical examination to evaluate Lucy’s general health and to observe and recommend husbandry improvements.
The experts advised that Lucy is not fit to travel. She will remain at the Edmonton Valley Zoo where she has been cared for by a team of dedicated animal professionals for more than 47 years.
“We are pleased that both Dr. Schmitt and Mr. Hoffman were able to make the trip to Edmonton this year to assess Lucy. It’s always valuable to obtain insights from elephant experts, especially from those who have never met Lucy in person before,” said Edmonton Valley Zoo Director Gary Dewar. “We were able to get an update on her health challenges and input on how to continue to evolve both Lucy’s care program and her environment here at the zoo. Our team works very hard to ensure Lucy continues to receive excellent care and we’re confident she will continue to enjoy a high quality of life.”
The experts noted Lucy continues to breathe through her mouth, which is unique compared to other elephants. Stress and even very mild physical activity brings Lucy in an anaerobic metabolic status leading to quick exhaustion with low levels of oxygen. This in turn can lead to respiratory distress.
Lucy’s overall foot health, including nails and cuticles, is good. Her foot pads are in excellent condition. Blood work showed changes in her protein levels, which is not an unusual finding in aging elephants.
This year, both experts noted that Lucy is an active, healthy, older elephant who has some age-related health conditions being managed well by the elephant care team and veterinary staff at the zoo. She is in good physical condition and is within her target weight range. She is calm, alert and responsive. She is given choice and control in her daily activities, which is an asset to her mental stimulation, mobility and flexibility.
Both Dr. Schmitt and Mr. Hoffman clearly stated that Lucy should remain at the Edmonton Valley Zoo. In addition to Lucy’s respiratory challenges, Dr. Schmitt recommended Lucy not be placed with other elephants due to the high likelihood that she has no innate protection against Elephant endotheliotropic herpesviruses (EEHV), a highly fatal infection.
Mr. Hoffman said a move “does not seem like a positive welfare change for Lucy,” whose “life is very enriched and active.”
“We will continue to invest in providing a varied enrichment program that focuses on promoting species specific behavioural opportunities through cognitive, occupational and physical enrichments,” Dewar said. “We will also continue to provide Lucy with a high level of interaction with her care team while further specialising her care program to reflect her changing age and health status.”
Based on previous husbandry expert recommendations, Lucy’s habitat is currently undergoing upgrades, including a new heating and ventilation system, new skylights, the addition of ultraviolet lighting and supplemental CCTV infrastructure. Preliminary planning has been initiated for a large expansion to her indoor space and adjacent outdoor spaces, including options to expand outdoor exhibit areas with appropriate fencing, varied topography, vegetation and purpose built facilities.
Lucy came to the zoo as a two-year-old orphan in 1977. Over the years, the zoo has modified its care plan to meet Lucy’s changing needs. Her gradual retirement from public activities began in 2020, and the zoo continues to evolve its elephant management program to accommodate Lucy’s needs as she ages. The zoo will continue to monitor Lucy’s weight and overall health, and follow up on the medical, infrastructure and husbandry expert recommendations.
An annual, independent assessment is required by Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) in order to maintain Lucy in Edmonton as a single elephant. She has been assessed yearly by outside experts for nearly two decades.
For more information on Lucy, including links to the written veterinary assessment report and a video visit edmonton.ca/lucy.
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