SAN ANTONIO – Plaintiffs attempting to call into question San Antonio Zoo's care for Lucky, one of its three Asian elephants, have filed to dismiss their claim, according to zoo officials.
The plaintiffs have filed to dismiss their claim altogether after spending almost two years studying the claim. The San Antonio Zoo said it has stood firm in its position that the case was "meritless" since the lawsuit was filed.
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San Antonio Zoo adds third Asian elephant
"Throughout her long life, Lucky has received the highest level of care physically, mentally and socially -- care that exceeds normally accepted animal husbandry practices and that has been reviewed and validated by outside independent individual elephant experts as well as experts from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Zoological Association of America and American Humane," the zoo said in a statement.
Two additional Asian elephants -- Karen and Nicole -- were welcomed to the zoo last summer and gradually introduced to Lucky. Zoo officials said the three elephants have bonded and are thriving together in their updated and expanded habitat.
Enlargement of the elephant yard, an expanded pool, a new rain catchment system, additional trees and added shade are some of the updates and renovations to the elephant habitat, zoo officials said.
"We are pleased that this lawsuit has come to an end," CEO and executive director of San Antonio Zoo Tim Morrow said. "Our zoo staff is dedicated to the care and conservation of animals both here and in the wild. There is nobody that loves, cares for or wants the best for Lucky and all of our animals more than we do."
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Zoo officials said Morrow was recently appointed to the IEF Board of Directors, and is focused on ensuring the zoo is involved in the conversations and actions around wildlife preservation.
"Our new vision for the zoo centers around greater emphasis on conservation and education programs, such as the new Will Smith Zoo School nature-based preschool, which will open in January," Morrow said. "We invite the community to get involved. Come see what we're all about, support our programs. Together we can help secure a future for wildlife."