9/14/2009
Days before Bob Barker comes to see Lucy, the Valley Zoo is releasing information saying Lucy cannot be moved, right now.
An independent veterinarian has confirmed, moving the Elephant, while she is sick, could have deadly consequences.
Things haven't been so great for Lucy lately. The lone Elephant has been the center of controversy for years, but things started to heat up more recently as celebrities joined in the cause. Animal Rights Advocates say the Valley Zoo is too small for Lucy and that she would be happier and healthier moving to the states and living with other elephants. However, the Valley Zoo is adamant that Lucy is fine where she is, with her keeper-family which is all she knows. Lucy has spent 32 of her 34 years here at the Zoo.
But the controversy isn't the only thing bringing her down. Lucy has had problems breathing after a tooth didn't fall out when it was supposed to. The tooth, which is about the size of toddlers head, crowded the tooth that was growing in to replace it. The crowding caused swelling in the sinus area making it difficult for Lucy to breathe through her trunk. Now, Lucy breathes through her mouth.
Loosing the tooth at the end of August was good news for Lucy, but her breathing problems persist. Valley Zoo Veterinarian Dr. Milton Ness, says the new tooth will need to grow in before Lucy can get back to normal. But Dr. Ness isn't sure how long that may take. "We don't know. That's the bottom line. There's a lot that needs to happen. There's a gap in her mouth where that tooth fell out. That gap has to fill in, and a new tooth has to come in there. That's going to take some time. We're going to watch this over time, but for me to say just because the tooth has come in, all the reaction that's happened in the past will go away? It's just too early to say."
Dr. Ness holds the culprit tooth.
Dr. Oosterhuis teamed with Dr. Ness to sedate Lucy and scope her trunk with a three metre long fibre optics endoscope. After spending time with Lucy, Community Services General Manager Linda Cochrane says Dr. Oosterhuis declared her respiratory problems preclude moving her. "Dr. Oosterhuis was clear that putting Lucy through the stress of a move could very likely result in her death.
Dr. Oosterhuis states, 'Her current respiratory problems preclude any thought of moving her and in fact would be life threatening for her to be placed under that kind of stress. It is my opinion that it would unethical for any veterinarian to recommend moving her and in fact would be malpractice to sign a health certificate for her at this time.'"
The timing seems to be perfect, with Bob Barker coming to town this Thursday - but Cochrane says there was no way to plan this. She says there was no way to know when the tooth would have fallen out. "By the time we were able to arrange for Dr. Oosterhuis, it was not far from when Bob Barker comes. But in fact, it's a good thing. I think when Bob Barker comes we'll be able to make him more aware of Lucy's situation. I think there's been a lot of misunderstanding and last of awareness on many peoples parts about what's going on with Lucy."
Bob Barker was invited by the zoo to visit along with a member from PAWS Sanctuary. Cochrane says they're still the only two invited, and the team he's bringing along will not be allowed to examine Lucy.
Cochrane says more tests will only serve to stress Lucy out even more - which could prove harmful or even deadly.
Once Lucy returns back to full health, a decision will be made on moving the elephant or possibly bringing in a companion animal. Cochrane says whatever is decided will be in the best interest of Lucy and the City of Edmonton. (blb)
See more pictures of Lucy the Elephant:
Lucy Photo Gallery.
Spend a day with Lucy at the Valley Zoo (courtesy of the City of Edmonton)
On the Net:
Letter from Dr. Oosterhuis
Lucy videos - including one of her Exam
The Edmonton Valley Zoo
More in the iNews880 Feature Blog:
Response to zoo's latest comments on Lucy's health issues
By: Dr. Debi Zimmermann
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