Toronto elephants might fly to California

TORONTO, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- The debate over the fate of the Toronto Zoo's three aging elephants has expanded to include a possibility of a military airlift to a California sanctuary.

Since the city council voted overwhelmingly to shut down the elephant exhibit, employees there have denounced the decision to send Toka, Thika and Iringa to the Performing Animal Welfare Society in Galt, Calif., the Toronto Star reported.

The handlers maintain the 80-acre site that includes whirlpool baths large enough to treat elephants with arthritis isn't an accredited zoo and the lengthy road trip would be too great a strain on the animals.

The animal welfare group Zoocheck Canada has stepped in and said it would fund travel costs, and spokeswoman Julie Woodyer said there was an alternative to a long road trip -- a military flight.

She said she had made inquiries with the Royal Canadian Air Force about commissioning a giant C-17 long-range aircraft for the job and learned it would cost about $300,000, the report said.

That's at least twice the cost of truck transport, she said.

Several zoo staff members have protested Zoocheck's involvement and are scheduled to visit the PAWS facility this weekend.

In 2007, the U.S. Air Force flew an ailing elephant from Alaska to the PAWS facility, the Star said.