To the delight to sign-waving elephant supporters, the Tucson City Council voted to build a larger enclosure for the two elephants at the Reid Park Zoo, ensuring that the elephants will stay in Tucson permanently.
The council voted 6-1, with Councilwoman Karin Uhlich dissenting, to move forward with the plan that would have the city and the Tucson Zoological Society help pay for a new seven-acre African habitat, with three of those acres dedicated to the elephants, Connie and Shaba.
About 40 supporters of keeping the elephants at the zoo turned out, cheering after every statement made in support and waving red and white signs that read: "I (heart) Tucson Elephants. Keep them here." About 10 proponents of sending the elephants to a sanctuary in Tennessee also came to make their case.
Council members said city staffers answered most of their concerns regarding the health of the animals and how to pay for a new enclosure. They also said they were happy that the money to build the enclosure won't come out of the city's general fund.
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"A lot of very serious questions I had were answered," said Councilwoman Nina Trasoff.
After touring the zoo last week to observe the conditions of the elephants, particularly their feet, Councilwoman Shirley Scott joked that "I, myself would like that much attention being paid to mine."
Elephant lovers were ecstatic afterward, smiling and hugging each other after learning that the pachyderms will be staying in Tucson for the rest of their lives.
"We're so excited because this is such a wonderful thing not just for the zoo and the elephants . . . but for the children of the community as well," said Margie Fithian, a docent at the Reid Park Zoo.
Mike Carter, the executive director of the Tucson Zoological Society, implored the council to vote unanimously to build the new enclosure to show that the community is united in support of keeping the elephants at the zoo.
"All in all, it's quite decisive," he said after the vote.
Uhlich said she didn't have enough information on how the new enclosure would be financed and said the "giant steps" being taken Tuesday toward building the new enclosure made her believe the expansion is "not prudent at this time."
"It would be wiser to consider relocating Connie and Shaba," Uhlich said.
The city staff gave the council its plan to finance the new $8.5 million African habitat with the expanded elephant enclosure, and a roughly $4 million new conservation learning center. The city would put up some of the money upfront for planning and design — possibly with certificates of participation, which are bonds that don't require voter approval — and by increasing zoo admission fees and putting bonds on the ballot, possibly in 2008, to finance the rest.
The city and the Tucson Zoological Society had agreed to split the $12.5 million cost.
Nikia Fico, the leader of the group that wants to send the elephants to a sanctuary in Tennessee, said bond money is still public money.
"It doesn't matter if it's not coming out of the general fund, it's still taxpayer money," she said.
On StarNet View photos of the elephants at azstarnet.com/slideshows
"We're so excited because this is such a wonderful thing not just for the zoo and the elephants . . . but for the children of the community as well."
Margie Fithian, docent at the Reid Park Zoo.
