Calgary Zoo relocates Spike the elephant to Florida

Spike will return to Florida in the next few months.

The Calgary Zoo is relocating its elephants for their long-term welfare and has found a new home for its Asian bull elephant.

In April of 2012, the zoo decided in was in the best interests of its elephants to move them to facilities that are better equipped to take care of their long-term welfare needs.

Zoo officials say the elephants will be better served by being part of a larger social group and at a facility with more year-round space.

On Tuesday, officials announced that Spike would be moving to Busch Gardens® Tampa and will make the trip later this eyar.

“We know that the departure of our elephants will be a difficult day for many of our staff, keepers, volunteers and our community at large,” said Dr. Clément Lanthier, President and CEO of the Calgary Zoo. “Although we know Spike is going to receive excellent care at Busch Gardens, we will miss him when he’s the first to leave. He has been an important part of our zoo family for more than 20 years.”

Spike was on an extended loan from the Miami Zoo and first arrived at the Calgary Zoo in 1992 after Hurricane Andrew damaged a large part of his former home.

Calgary Zoo officials say they chose Busch Gardens because of its work with and conservation efforts for Asian elephants and the relationship it has with the vice president of Zoological Operations, Jeff Andrews.

“Jeff is one of the foremost experts on elephant care in North America and has worked with Spike before,” explained Calgary Zoo director of animal care, conservation and research Dr. Jake Veasey. “Over the last few years, our elephant team has worked with Jeff directly on several occasions. We have adopted his programs and methods in managing our elephants and we know Spike will be in good hands.”

For more information on the decision to move the elephants, visit the Calgary Zoo’s website.