Item - 2011.ZB5.3

The Board directed that:

1.         The Toronto Zoo phase out of the current Elephant Program.

2.         The Board of Management reassess at a future date its options for an Elephant Program, pending the IMLS study results, financial considerations, and any other relevant factors.

3.         The 2012-2021 Capital Works Program include a placeholder in the amount of $16.5 million (2010$) as funding for the Board's future option for the Elephant Program.

4.         The existing three elephants be transferred as soon as practical to an accredited AZA institution(s):

-           with enhanced facilities comparable to the Toronto Zoo;

-           that have eliminated the use of bull-hooks or other similar practices not used at the Toronto Zoo; and

-           with animal management programs.

5.         Staff report back, as part of the capital budget process:

-           on the use of the elephant facilities by another species, in the interim; and

-           on the feasibility of constructing an Elephant Education Centre or Labyrinth Proposal, as outlined by Zoocheck Canada Inc.

6.         Staff report back on a comprehensive marketing and sponsorship plan for the Elephant Program that recognizes the opportunity presented by the exhibit as a limited time only attraction.

7.         Toronto Zoo staff meet with Mr. Ed Stewart of the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) to provide him with a tour of the Toronto Zoo's elephant facilities.

8.         The Toronto Zoo's Animal Care and Research Committee be requested to report back to the Board of Management concerning the Toronto Zoo elephants' destination.

9.         The Chief Executive Officer be requested to ensure that the options presented at the May 12, 2011 meeting of the Board be considered as part of the Toronto Zoo's accepted processes and policies for Toronto Zoo animal transactions.

The following gave presentations to the Board of Management:

-           Ted Silberberg, Lord Cultural Resources, provided a power point presentation on the report "Toronto Zoo – Evaluation of Options for the Elephant Program – Final Report March 2011", prepared by Lord Cultural Resources, in association with Schultz and Williams.

-           John Tracogna, Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Zoo on his report dated May 4, 2011, and expressed appreciation to the Toronto Zoo's staff and volunteers, the media and public for their interest in the Toronto Zoo's Elephant Program. 

This report recommends to the Board of Management that the Toronto Zoo phase out of the current Elephant Program.  The rationale for this important strategic decision is outlined in this report.  Due to the significant capital cost to provide appropriate elephant facilities for the future (estimated $16.5 million), the substantial future operating costs of $930,000 annually, and considering the ongoing research study on captive elephants, these factors together have led Zoo staff to make this recommendation to the Board.  Further, as the existing herd of three females is aging, in a short period of time the Toronto Zoo could be below the minimum standard of three elephants accepted by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA).  While the three elephants are still in good health, the report recommends that they be transferred to one or more accredited AZA institutions.  When the research results are reported in late 2013, which could be significant in improving captive elephant management, the Board can reassess its options for an Elephant Program and consider any other relevant factors at that future time.