Joyce the Elephant Returns To The Safari

[GAcoaster]

From the Chicago Tribune:

 

No elephants in Chicago

Brookfield Zoo sends away its last specimen, but says it's temporary

 

 

Joyce, an African elephant, is shown at Brookfield Zoo in August 2009 after she arrived from a Six Flags park. Joyce, who has been alone at Brookfield since the zoo's other elephant died in December, was shipped back to Six Flags on Wednesday. (Antonio Perez, Chicago Tribune / September 23, 2010)

 

For the first time since 1889, there are no elephants in either Chicago zoo.

 

On Wednesday, Brookfield Zoo shipped its lone female, Joyce, to a Six Flags park in New Jersey. Joyce, a 27-year-old African elephant, was lent by Six Flags to Brookfield a year ago as a companion to Christy, a 28-year-old female elephant at the zoo.

 

But Joyce was left alone when Christy became ill and died last December.

 

Brookfield had started to look for a new companion for Joyce early this year, but Six Flags decided it wanted her back to join a herd of seven elephants at Six Flags Great Adventure and Wild Safari in New Jersey.

 

Joyce arrived in New Jersey healthy and no worse for the wear Thursday morning, said a Six Flags spokeswoman.

 

Elephants have been staple attractions in Chicago zoos since the late 19th century. Until this week Brookfield has had elephants continuously since it opened 76 years ago. Lincoln Park brought in its first elephants in 1889 but suspended its program after its three elderly African females, Tatima, Peaches and Wankie, died in a seven-month span in 2004 and 2005.

 

Brookfield, whose president Stuart Strahl is a proponent of zoo elephants, plans to renovate an indoor elephant exhibit and bring back the giant animals at some point.

 

"We are committed to having elephants, and they will be back here in the future," said William Ziegler, Brookfield's senior vice president for animal care.

[Gary Hill]

Never had an elephant named Joyce. I guess management changed her name at some time?

[29yrswithaGApass]

Source: The Shopper Online

 

09-29-10 Chicago Zoological Society Bids Farewell to Lone Elephant

 

Tuesday, September 28, 2010 10:15 AM CDT

 

Brookfield, IL—Joyce, a 27-year-old female African elephant on loan to the Chicago Zoological Society (CZS) since August 2009, has returned to a Six Flags facility where she will join a herd of elephants.

 

The move was planned by Joyce’s owner, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, which requested she be returned to live with its sister park’s herd of African elephants. On September 22, Joyce made her journey accompanied by an experienced animal transporter in a truck specially designed to ensure her safety. She was also accompanied by two zookeepers and a veterinarian from Six Flags.

 

For the past year Joyce has resided at Brookfield Zoo as part of a cooperative loan approved by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) African Elephant Species Survival Plan (SSP). She was brought to the zoo to be a companion to Christy, another African elephant. However in December 2009, Christy died due to congenital kidney failure, leaving Joyce alone.

 

“Elephants are social animals and need companionship. Therefore, it was in the best interest of Joyce that she be sent to a facility that would provide her with the companionship of other elephants,” said William Zeigler, CZS senior vice president of collections and animal care.

 

During her one-year stay, Brookfield Zoo’s staff and visitors were delighted to have Joyce at the zoo. Joyce helped visitors safely learn about these magnificent animals up close so that they could develop a deeper understanding of and appreciation for elephants.

 

Joyce’s departure does not mark the end of elephants at Brookfield Zoo—rebuilding the elephant program at the zoo is a top priority for the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages the zoo. Her departure will now enable CZS to begin its plans to renovate and expand the zoo’s indoor elephant habitat. Once completed, the new space will compliment the newly expanded outdoor yard and elephants will once again return to Brookfield Zoo. The renovations scheduled to begin in the near future would feature a new expansive indoor area for the elephants and provide an off-exhibit area that includes the zoo’s existing state-of-the-art equipment for elephant care.

 

In addition, the exhibit will feature bold new interpretative signage to better educate zoo guests about the challenges facing elephants in the wild, as well as offer information on how they can make a difference through their conservation actions at home and around the world.

 

“The majority of people who live in our increasingly urbanized society will never have an opportunity to see this majestic species in the wild. For them, zoos are among the few places where they can appreciate live animals and learn about the need to preserve nature on a local, regional, and global scale,” said Stuart D. Strahl, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Chicago Zoological Society. “Brookfield Zoo has cared for elephants throughout its 76-year history and is committed to continuing to have an elephant program at the zoo and support elephant conservation in the wild.”

 

The Chicago Zoological Society’s mission is to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. Open every day of the year, Brookfield Zoo is located off First Avenue between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways and is also accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, CTA, and PACE bus service.

 

Looks like Joyce started out at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in California and was sent from Chicago to Great Adventure.

[Medusa42]

Watch a talented elephant paint, then win the picture and tix to Six Flags

 

One of seven elephants to call Six Flags Great Adventure’s Wild Safari home, Joyce has a unique set of skills and talents that set her apart from her friends and family.

I recently had the opportunity to travel “backstage” at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson to meet a very special elephant. Truly, meeting and interacting with Joyce was a landmark moment of my career and my life.

http://nj1015.com/watch-a-talented-elephant-paint-then-win-the-picture-and-tix-to-six-flags/