While the Edmonton Valley Zoo celebrated its summer festival Sunday afternoon, about a dozen protesters lined the streets outside, demanding Lucy the elephant be relocated.
Protesters say that Lucy is in poor health and is living in distress. They want the elephant to be moved to a sanctuary in California.
"Most captive elephants do not live to be past 40," said Tove Reece with Voice for Animals. "Lucy is now 34 and we think it's time they gave her a chance."
Former game show host and animal activist Bob Barker, who visited Lucy, last year, waded in on the zoo's celebration in a phone call to CTV News Sunday afternoon.
"Lucy has absolutely nothing to celebrate," said Barker. "Elephants are supposed to be with other elephants. Lucy is not."
Barker believes Lucy's living conditions are not acceptable and living in Edmonton is not feasible.
"Elephants are supposed to be in a warm climate," says Barker. "Not only is Lucy not in a warm climate, there is no elephant in captivity north of Lucy. She is in the worst possible situation."
The fight over Lucy is now before the court. The activists took the city to court but the judge's decision has yet to come down.
