Zoo blasted for elephant move
A vet who dedicated years to caring for the elephants at Auckland Zoo says the decision to move its two female elephants Burma and Anjalee boils down to a lack of money.
But Auckland Zoo director Kevin Buley is adamant the decision has nothing to do with saving money and is motivated by animal welfare.
“This heart-breaking but right decision to move Anjalee and Burma is all about ensuring we meet the very different needs of these two elephants and give them both the elephant family herd they both need for their long-term health and wellbeing,” he said.
The decision to end the zoo’s long association with elephants follows the loss of another popular attraction last month when its two elderly lions Zulu and Malik were euthanised.
John Potter, who was involved with the zoo’s elephant team for many years until he retired in 2013, said elephants are expensive to keep properly. They require four full-time keepers, have large dietary needs and occupy a large area.
Potter said Buley has said Burma and Anjalee are happy, but the decision for the zoo to end its association with elephants was because the two will not be able to breed.
“One must ask, if the elephants are happy why alter the situation unless it is to save money? Burma has probably a further 12 years to live and this gives the zoo adequate time to replace her with perhaps elephants from the Australian elephant breeding programme.”
Buley said it was sad Potter did not raise his views with the zoo directly. “Auckland Zoo is a not-forprofit conservation organisation that will always put the welfare and care of its animals first,” he said.
Last November, the zoo announced the elephants would be moving on and last month confirmed Anjalee will a herd of elephants at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo and Burma will head to Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.