Posts: 1200
From: Palmer, Alaska
Registered: Jul 2004

posted October 31, 2007 01:49 PM         

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After a long hard battle, many get their wish here in Alaska. The wish for a better life for dear Maggie who has been here in AK with us since 1982.

One-way ticket south for Maggie

Alaska's only elephant is scheduled to fly out Thursday

By KYLE HOPKINS
khopkins@adn.com

Published: October 28, 2007
Last Modified: October 28, 2007 at 11:42 AM

If any of the roughly 280,000 people in Anchorage decided to pack up and move this week, not one of us would draw the kind of passionate tributes and heartsick farewells showered on Maggie the elephant Saturday.

The Alaska Zoo plans to send Maggie, Alaska's only elephant, to California on Thursday after a painful debate over where she belongs. Some Maggie lovers thought she would be better off in a warmer state around other elephants. Others believed she's just fine in Anchorage.

Now that a decision's been made, both camps are saying their goodbyes. On Saturday, the zoo started a two-day farewell that crammed the parking lot and is expected to draw more well-wishers today.

In the warm zoo greenhouse Saturday, a slide show of Maggie photos played on a projector and kids wearing elephant masks with paintbrush trunks painted pictures.

Aleksei Burton, who is 3-and-a-half, pressed his mask to his face while his father, Gordon, snapped pictures. A piece of goodbye cake sat on a nearby workbench.

Aleksei has been coming to the zoo since he was in a stroller. One of his first words was "Maggie," his father said.

Like many visitors, Gordon Burton had mixed feelings about the elephant leaving for the Performing Animal Welfare Society sanctuary in Northern California.

"We like coming to see her, but we understand they're trying to do what's best for her," he said.

After painting, the family left to see the elephant.

Maggie split her time between her snowy pen and her concrete elephant house -- home to a much-discussed, little-used treadmill that was supposed to help her get some exercise.

"See Maggie? See Maggie?" Candace Rhodenizer asked her 7-month-old daughter, Sydney. Another daughter, 3-year-old Olivia, stood nearby. She wore an orange Halloween ribbon in her hair.

Olivia always wants to come see Maggie but is OK with the elephant leaving, her mother said. The family has talked about this at length.

"Where's she going" Candace asked.

"California."

"She doesn't like the cold, like Mom, right?"

The Rhodenizer family knows more about Maggie's trip than most. Candace's husband, Gene, works at Elmendorf Air Force Base and has been helping prepare for Maggie's flight.

The Air Force will take Maggie in a C-17 cargo plane to another base in California. Gene said he recorded the sound of the hydraulic loader that will be used to get Maggie into the aircraft so zoo officials could play it for her and get her used to the noise.

Maggie soon walked out to her pen. The crowd followed.

She briefly stood inside the tan metal crate that she'll travel in -- Rhodenizer said there are straps built into the crate that can be used to hoist her up if she falls down -- then began to walk along the fence.

In the cold air, steam rose from her wrinkled skin. Spectators commented on the sores on her face and leg, left over from spells in May when Maggie couldn't stand up on her own and had to be lifted to her feet.

Dorothy Arnold pulled a film camera from a faded leather case and began taking pictures. She said she's lived in Alaska since 1953 and watched Maggie, now 25, grow up.

Arnold said not all elephants need a herd and Maggie is the only chance some Alaska kids get to see a real elephant.

"That's the only reason I came to the zoo today, so I could see Maggie for the last time," she said.

Late in the afternoon, after most of the spectators left, a zoo employee held up a canvas for Maggie to paint. Every few successful brush strokes, she earned a giant snack.

The last few visitors put their fingers through the black wire mesh that separates them from the elephant, watching and calling to Maggie. A girl was delighted when the elephant twisted her trunk in the air -- a gesture the girl decided was a wave.

On the wall was a series of banners that well-wishers wrote messages on throughout the day. These are Maggie's goodbye cards:

"Enjoy the sunshine" and "Safe travels to your new home!"

"I will always remember my time with you. You are a very special elephant."

And: "Maggie, thanks for being 'our' elephant. We'll miss you.' "

Only Maggie knows if she'll miss us too.

Source: http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/anchorage/maggie/story/9413513p-9326086c.html

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Air Force will fly out Maggie

THURSDAY: Elephant traveling to California.

Daily News staff

Published: October 26, 2007
Last Modified: October 26, 2007 at 01:25 PM

The U.S. Air Force will fly Maggie, Alaska's only elephant, to her new digs in California next week.

Story tools
Officials at Elmendorf Air Force Base were asked to transport the 25-year-old African elephant to an elephant sanctuary run by the Performing Animals Welfare Society but needed approval from the Pentagon to do so, said Air Force spokeswoman Capt. Kelley Jeter.

Maggie is scheduled to leave Anchorage on Thursday aboard a C-17 cargo plane that will take her to Travis Air Force Base. The PAWS sanctuary is located about 55 miles from Travis, which is near Sacramento.

PAWS turned to the Air Force for help because no safe commercial transportation options were available. Maggie will travel in a specially designed 10-by-8-by-18-foot, 10,000-pound crate. Zoo handlers have been training her for weeks to tolerate being crated for the trip.

The trip from her current home at the Alaska Zoo to the PAWS facility should take about 12 hours, according to the Air Force. Handlers and veterinarians will accompany her.

PAWS will reimburse the Air Force for the full cost of the flight at regular commercial rates, Jeter said Thursday.

The bill is expected to be about $200,000, she said.

The Air Force is happy to provide the service, Jeter said.

"This gives our guys an opportunity to train on loading something on their aircraft that is very different than what they usually do. This is great training for them."

After years of criticism from elephant experts and animal rights advocates about the conditions under which Maggie was forced to live -- alone and inactive in a small space and a cold climate -- members of the Alaska Zoo board of directors finally agreed last month to send her to PAWS. Their change of heart had been helped along when the Anchorage Fire Department and winches were needed twice in one week this past summer to lift Maggie to her feet because she was unable to stand on her own.

Source: http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/anchorage/maggie/story/9408622p-9320353c.html

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Posts: 1619
From: Kochi, India
Registered: May 2007

posted October 31, 2007 02:01 PM         

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Good luck Maggie!

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Posts: 3268
From: California
Registered: Oct 2001

posted October 31, 2007 03:11 PM         

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I am happy she is coming to Paws in California!

I hope she has a safe flight!

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Posts: 283
From: USA
Registered: Aug 2005

posted October 31, 2007 09:14 PM         

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What a sweetie. Now she wont be Lonely

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Posts: 3268
From: California
Registered: Oct 2001

posted November 02, 2007 08:27 PM         

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Maggie Arrives Safely at PAWS Sanctuary

U.S. Air Force pilots successfully complete Operation Maggie Migration

After 25 years, Maggie has finally made the move from a tiny enclosure at the Alaska Zoo to her new home at the Performing Animal Welfare Society elephant sanctuary in Northern California. This is a great day not only for Maggie, but for IDA and everyone else who has worked to secure her freedom. We offer our sincerest thanks and congratulations to everyone who helped make this victory possible.

This historic trip included a five-hour flight in a temperature-controlled crate aboard a United States Air Force C-17 cargo plane from Alaska to Travis Air Force Base, followed by an 85-mile drive in a flatbed truck to PAWS. Maggie arrived safely on schedule at the sanctuary at 6:30 this morning.

For too long, Maggie suffered extreme deprivation at the Alaska Zoo from lack of space, frigid temperatures, and a decade of solitude as the only elephant in the state. IDA and others forcefully argued that the same poor living conditions and lack of proper veterinary care that killed Maggie's longtime companion Annabelle in 1997 would cause Maggie to develop foot and joint disorders that could be the end of her, too.

"Maggie's journey is a hopeful symbol of the journey all captive elephants should be on from inadequate zoo conditions to sanctuary-like facilities with the space and conditions they need to thrive," said Elliot M. Katz, DVM, president of IDA. "We are so happy that the Alaska Zoo finally agreed to do what is best for Maggie."

Maggie is the third elephant to move to a sanctuary this year. With Maggie's departure, Alaska Zoo becomes the 13th U.S. zoo, including those in major cities like Detroit, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and New York, who have closed or plan to close their elephant exhibits.

Learn more about IDA's efforts to win Maggie's release.

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~from In Defense Of Animals

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Posts: 1200
From: Palmer, Alaska
Registered: Jul 2004

posted November 05, 2007 06:55 PM         

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Awwww!!! I just caught up on all the recent news reports regarding Maggie and her flight to PAWS. They say all in all the cost to relocate Maggie is estimated at $400,000. Bob Barker donated $750,000 to PAWS for the care of Maggie. While another anonymous person/group donated $100,000.

Here's a link to their Elephant webcam. Maggie is in the smaller pen, seperated from the rest of the African Elephants. Although she is able socialize with them thru the fence. I havent seen her appear on Camera yet ... but i'm checking often.
http://www.pawsweb.org/webcam.asx

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Posts: 1200
From: Palmer, Alaska
Registered: Jul 2004

posted November 05, 2007 07:09 PM         

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Ohhh yeah, and Maggie is an artist. She is trained to play the harmonica and paint watercolor by holding a paint brush with her trunk.

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Posts: 1200
From: Palmer, Alaska
Registered: Jul 2004

posted November 05, 2007 07:19 PM         

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ooo!! ooooo! ooooo!! She's on the camera now!! I'm so happy for her. So much room to roam, warm weather and friends!!

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Posts: 1200
From: Palmer, Alaska
Registered: Jul 2004

posted November 06, 2007 01:23 PM         

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From the PAWS website ...

Operation Maggie Migration Update
After weeks of preparation and training, at approximately 1:00 pm on Thursday, November 1st, Maggie walked calmly into her specially designed crate, the doors were closed behind her at 1:30 pm, and the crate with it's precious cargo was lifted by a giant crane onto the truck that would take Maggie to her special Air Force plane for her flight to California. Maggie trumpeted farewell as the truck pulled out of the back of the zoo.

Maggie and her entourage of Alaska Zoo staff and administrators, PAWS staff, veterinarians, a film crew and the crane arrived at Elmendorf Air Base at approximately 4:20 pm. Maggie's crate was prepped for travel (special tray to contain the poop) as well wishers who had followed the caravan from the zoo stood by watching and waving farewell signs. The crane lifted her once again into the vast belly of an Air Force C17 cargo plane, and Operation Maggie Migration began with another loud trumpet from the star of the show.

The huge aircraft left Elmendorf at 8:00 pm that night and arrived at Travis Air Base in California at 12:30 am on Friday, November 2nd. During the four hour flight, Maggie's keepers, Alaska Zoo Director, Pat Lampi; veterinarians and PAWS Director, Ed Stewart,
were able to monitor her reaction to the flight and provide treats and comfort during her journey. Maggie remained calm throughout the flight, trumpeting once on the descent into California.

At Travis Air Base, Maggie's reception committee was huge and enthusiastic. PAWS staff waited with vans for Maggie's human companions on the trip and Air Force personnel who would accompany her to ARK 2000, another crane, the truck which would haul her crate and reporters, photographers and television crews from around the world who would report Maggie's arrival at the PAWS sanctuary. The jubilant crowd watched as the crate was lifted off the plane and Maggie landed on California soil for the first time. After a brief rest, Maggie was loaded on the truck, and she and her convoy of friends, fans and benefactors departed on the final leg of her journey to PAWS.

Meanwhile, at ARK 2000, Pat Derby and the elephant crew had been up most of the night preparing for Maggie's arrival. Another crane to lift the crate off the truck for the last time had arrived and was maneuvered into position near the elephant barn, a load of dirt was mounded in Maggie's sleeping stall and tractors and equipment were ready for any emergency.

At 6:00 am, Pat and the elephant crew began the early morning routine of baths and breakfast for 71, Mara, Lulu and Ruby who were unusually active and excited; they knew something big was about to happen. When they finally moved out to the habitat, all four stayed glued to the fence waiting, with trunks sniffing the air, for their new companion.

Maggie's truck drove down the road at 8:30 am as film crews recorded the momentous occasion. Brian and Frank, the local crane operators, started the giant crane and Maggie's crate was lifted off the truck for her unloading into the African elephant barn as Air Force personnel, Alaska Zoo and PAWS staff and a coterie of photographers watched anxiously.
Just at that moment, Minnie, the dominant female Asian elephant moved up to the fence across from the barn and stood surveying the activity. She had seen the crane and perceived it to be a threat to her group which, for Minnie, was a challenge to action.

Minnie was soon distracted with bamboo and other treats, and Maggie's crate was lowered to the ground, the doors were opened and Maggie backed nonchalantly out of the crate, peering at the crowd with an imperious gaze. As cameras flashed, Maggie calmly ambled into the African barn and her keepers led her to her stall. She looked incredibly well after the long trip.

Maggie took a long, hot bath, dusted, ate treats while her veterinarians examined her and walked around exploring her new home. We opened the gate leading to the introductory yard where 71 and her group were hanging over the fence anticipating Maggie's arrival. Maggie followed her keepers and a bucket of treats out to the yard with no hesitation until Mara, our rowdy troublemaker, trumpeted. Maggie retreated a few feet, then made a thundering mock charge at the four elephants.

We were very happy to see her intrepid response to the group, as it signaled a quick introduction. Some elephants, particularly those who have lived alone, are frightened when confronted with a daunting array of elephants, but Maggie was impervious. She sauntered around, played in the mud hole and munched on sweet new grass which has just appeared after a recent rain. The other elephants remained at the fence all day, trunks outstretched, fascinated with the prospect of a new addition to their group.

That evening, after Maggie was comfortably settled in her stall, we brought Ruby into the barn first, and her noisy reaction to her new companion triggered a panic attack from Lulu.
It took a while to get Lulu past Maggie, and 71 and Mara were quite raucous after the long wait. The rumbles from that group were soon squelched by a giant roar from Maggie who is just a bit larger than Lulu. We were all shocked at the velocity of her vocalization and her bold acceptance of the group's presence. After a noisy period of greeting, the group settled in their individual stalls and dinner was served.

Pat Derby slept in the barn that night. Her log recorded: 11:00 pm-- all quiet except for the heavy breathing and snoring as they sleep. Maggie is not lying down, but she is very relaxed and obviously resting. 2:00 am-- Soft rumbles, almost purrs from all. The sounds of a contented group. I am amazed! I expected a lot of activity and noise, and some trepidation from Maggie. She is amazingly calm, and the others act like she has lived here for years. What a lovely beginning for Maggie.

DAY TWO-- Saturday, November 3rd.-- Morning routines were established, and Maggie went out to the introductory yard after 71's group went to the habitat. Maggie explored most of the day with her keepers encouraging her to move up and down the hill. She was somewhat hesitant at first, but soon moved about munching grass and rumbling. She is very vocal, and has the same clicking sound that 71 and Mara make when they are happy. Her most interesting vocalization is almost a honk like a fog horn which she uses to ask for treats. It is quite effective. We are constantly amazed at how quickly she is adapting and how interested she is in the other elephants and the habitat.

PM Maggie laid down to sleep from 3:00 am to 5:00 am

DAY THREE-- Sunday, November 4th-- We kept 71, Mara, Lulu and Ruby in the barn today. Maggie's keepers, Jaime and Angie, and Alaska Zoo Curator, Shannon, took Maggie into the big habitat today, and she moved around with no hesitation. After her trip outside, we brought her in and opened up the hallway that connects to the other elephants. They were all excited, and we saw a lot of trunk touching as they reached through the barriers to greet and explore. Low rumbles were a good indicator of acceptance, and we were again pleased when ebullient Mara's trumpets elicited Maggie's stertorian roar. She is definitely a very bold little girl who has already charmed everyone at PAWS- human and elephant.

PM-- Maggie laid down for most of the night.

DAY FOUR-- Monday, November 5th-- After morning routines, we moved 71's group to the habitat and Maggie into the introductory yard. What a great day! Rumbles and trumpets and lots of Maggie fog horn sounds with trunk touching over the fence. This will be the routine until Maggie is comfortable enough with the others to go out with them.

PAWS web cam will focus on the Maggie socialization process every day. The individuals which are seen on the web cam are Maggie's keepers and PAWS elephant crew. Her introduction will be a slow process which will depend on Maggie's acceptance of the other elephants. The best indicator of this will be Maggie backing into the others in the elephant behavior which signifies trust-- turning her back to the others.

A BIG THANK YOU FROM PAWS TO THE US AIR FORCE FOR SAFELY TRANSPORTING MAGGIE AND TO THE ALASKA ZOO FOR ENTRUSTING HER TO US!

AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF MAGGIE'S MANY FANS AND FRIENDS

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