This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
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Three Toronto Zoo elephants, namely Iringa, Toka and Thika, who were set to leave for California today, have finally begun their journey and are on the road. All three elephants were coaxed into silver crates, loaded onto two flatbed trucks and driven off zoo property at around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, i.e. several hours late of their planned departure time. Now the elephants are en route on an eventful 50-hour drive to California.
Campaign director at Zoocheck Canada, Julie Woodyer, issued a demeaning statement against zoo officials in light of the delay, asserting that they were pulling “pranks” in attempt to spoil the trip after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency inspected the three pachyderms Thursday morning. She alleged that “there is no question in my mind it was a last-ditch attempt to stop them from going to the sanctuary.” Whereas, in response to that statement, Toronto Zoo spokesperson, Jennifer Tracey, alleged that the CFIA checkup was simply procedural and stated that “we take offence to this accusation. Zoo staff were professional and co-operative and loaded the elephants into their individual crates this morning as required. At no time were any ‘pranks’ played.”
A last minute deal struck few hours before the departure lead two Toronto Zoo employees to accompany the elephants across the cross-country journey. The deal was struck on Thursday morning between CUPE Local 1600 and the administration of Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), i.e. the American animal sanctuary that will be the elephants’ new home. Previously, PAWS had asked that any Toronto zookeeper making the days-long trip shall sign a non-disclosure agreement, which was refused by the union.
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