Last Living Elephant Leaves Alaska

Last week, the U. S. Air Force flew Maggie, an elephant, from Elmendorf AFB, near Anchorage, to Travis AFB in California aboard a C-17 Globemaster III (above). Maggie & her too big for a commercial freighter travel crate at right. Frolicking in the snow in Anchorage, below.

Treadmill the Anchorage Zoo came up with. Elephants who aren't imprisoned walk a lot. If they're prisoners & don't walk enough they get depressed.

In the winter of 2004 a new problem arose. Veterinarians diagnosed Maggie with depression.
The story hit the national media and even late night talk shows.
"In Anchorage, Alaska, zoo officials are trying to figure out what's been making an African elephant who has been in the Alaska Zoo since 1983 depressed," joked Jay Leno. "They are trying to figure out why the elephant is depressed. I don't know -- the fact that she's an elephant in Alaska! Do you think that has something to do with it?"

(It's a shame & a pity the tee vee writers are on strike, isn't it?)

Maybe not completely "free at last, free at last!" but at least in California, & w/ some other elephant friends (not seen in picture).

"Hopefully, she will soon realize how wonderful life can be with four devoted friends to share important elephant experiences: the joy of mud bathing, dusting, grazing, browsing and, most importantly, moving freely over the hills of sunny California."

The Coast is the most because the surfing's the best!

Another shot of a C-17.