Three Zoo Elephants Moved to a California Sanctuary

In October 2013, Toka, Thika, and Iringa were moved to the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) sanctuary in Northern California. The Toronto City Council voted in 2011 to send the elephants to the U.S. facility after facing pressure from Born Free USA and other animal protection advocates to make the move, partly because the aging animals were not well-suited to cold weather, and because the concrete floor of their enclosure was hard on their feet. But, the move was delayed on several occasions by clashes with zoo staff and city officials. Toka, Thika, and Iringa are now in their new home, which provides them lots of space to roam, in an appropriately warm climate, and in the company of other retired elephants who were once in zoos or circuses.