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Edmonton Valley Zoo turns down winter coat for Lucy the elephant

Bob Barker meets Lucy the elephant at Edmonton's River Valley Zoo on September 17, 2009. Animal welfare groups fighting to see a lone elephant at Edmonton's zoo moved to a sanctuary in the United States have been dealt a blow by Alberta's top court, Thursday Aug., 4, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ian Jackson.
Bob Barker meets Lucy the elephant at Edmonton's River Valley Zoo on September 17, 2009. Animal welfare groups fighting to see a lone elephant at Edmonton's zoo moved to a sanctuary in the United States have been dealt a blow by Alberta's top court, Thursday Aug., 4, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ian Jackson. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ian Jackson

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Valley Zoo’s lone elephant will not get a chance to try on a winter coat from a group concerned about her well-being.

Friends of Lucy chipped in $250 to buy the extra-extra-extra large waterproof and insulated garment to protect Lucy from the cold.

Zoo spokeswoman Debi Winwood says Lucy doesn’t need the coat, which Winwood says is more like a blanket.

She says it will be donated to an elephant orphanage in Africa or Asia.

Animal rights groups have been after the zoo for years to move the aging Lucy from a climate they say is too harsh for her.

READ MORE: Edmonton zoo in ‘Hall of Shame’ over elephant

The zoo says Lucy has been examined by a veterinarian and deemed too sick to travel because of respiratory troubles.

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“Lucy’s barn is spacious and warm with a heated padded floor. This is not an item required for Lucy’s well-being or care,” Winwood said Thursday.

“We will gratefully extend the offered blanket to these agencies so the contribution will not be wasted.”

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