ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has long wanted Alaska's lone elephant Maggie to be with other pachyderms and in a warmer climate.
PETA has said it was cruel to keep Maggie, without elephant companionship and in the cold climate of Anchorage, Alaska, reported the Anchorage Daily News Tuesday.
However, in a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture PETA said there are three wounds above Maggie's right eye, a laceration on her forehead, and several raw open wounds on both sides of her face near her eyes.
Alaska Zoo director "Tex" Edwards acknowledged Maggie has some sores on her head, but that the elephant had been brushing against a new training wall. "It seemed to be just perfect for her to scratch," he said. But, the zoo has smoothed out the rough surfaces and the scratching sores have stopped, said Edwards.
After a year's study, the zoo decided to keep Maggie in Alaska pending a list of improvements in her habitat and care including: the training wall, softer flooring, more staff time spent with the elephant and what is thought to be the first ever elephant treadmill.
