Calgary Zoo says Spike the elephant going back to Florida

CALGARY, Alberta, July 24 (UPI) -- Canada's Calgary Zoo said Spike the elephant is due to return to Florida after an extended loan from the Miami Zoo.

The Calgary Zoo in Alberta said Spike, a 32-year-old Asian elephant, is being sent to Busch Gardens in Tampa as part of the facility's plans to reduce its elephant population, The Calgary Sun reported Wednesday.

Spike has been at the Calgary Zoo since 1992 on an extended loan from the Miami Zoo.

"We will miss him when he's the first to leave," said Clement Lanthier, president and chief executive officer of the Calgary Zoo. "He's been an important part of our zoo family for more than 20 years."

Spike is expected to leave in the coming months, possibly by September, the zoo said.