Lucy the elephant is getting her own custom treatment plan focused on improving her health.

The Valley Zoo is implementing the new wellness plan for the 34-year-old Asian elephant to focus on her breathing capacity and arthritis. 

"Elephants are supposed to be nose breathers, supposed to breath through their trunk and Lucy has a great deal of difficulty breathing through her trunk," said Dr. Milton Ness, Valley Zoo veterinarian.

The plan also includes an enhanced exercise program so zoo officials can continue to monitor her weight. The goal is to have her lose 450 kilograms.

The move comes after veterinarians concluded moving Lucy would put her life at risk because of her current respiratory problems.

"We've had unending numbers of people look at Lucy and the same conclusions (have) been brought forward each time - that Lucy is in the best environment," said Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel.

Lucy was thrust into the spotlight after some big name celebrities were calling for the release of the elephant at the zoo.

In early Sept., Montreal native and celebrity actor William Shatner wrote a letter to Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel calling for the release of Lucy.

In his letter, Shatner wrote that although Edmonton "can capably take care of its own ... in a larger sense, these extraordinary animals are everyone's responsibility."

Retired TV game-show host and longtime animal activist Bob Barker has also openly questioned the health of Lucy and met with city officials in mid-Sept. to argue his case.

Bob Barker's group said they were disappointed that neither side would budge on their position.

Barker said that keeping Lucy in captivity without other elephants around to socialize with is detrimental to her health.

Animal rights activists have suggested the new wellness program is nothing more than a public relations move.

"I think they're acknowledging that perhaps her care and the kind of life she's been living just isn't good enough. To me what they're doing is doing this for show," said Tove Reece with Voice for Animals.

The elephant's caretakers are confident the new routine is what's best for Lucy.

Activists are threatening to take the City of Edmonton to court if Lucy isn't moved to a sanctuary. Animal rights groups have asked for a response from the city by Nov. 19.

With files from Laura Tupper