Griffith Park : Elephant Sale Goes Ahead
Zoo officials are continuing with their plans to sell Hannibal the elephant to a Mexican zoo.
City Park and Recreation commissioners Monday approved spending $10,000 to build a cage to ship the 5-ton Hannibal to Zacango Zoo in Toluca, Mexico.
It could take at least a month for a private contractor to construct the metal-and-wood container, said Jerry Greenwalt, interim zoo director.
Animal rights advocates have protested the sale, saying the animal might not be treated properly in Mexico. However, Greenwalt said the 16-year-old African elephant will be well cared for.
Hannibal, who has been at the zoo for 11 years, is being sold to Zacango for $1 because the Mexican zoo has a breeding program for African elephants. The Los Angeles Zoo has a breeding program for Asian elephants.
The elephant, who had to be righted by a tow truck after he was tranquilized for a grooming session in September, is in good health, Greenwalt said.
“He is up and around, acting like his old self. He is doing fine,” the zoo director said.
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