Toka, Thika and Iringa are the last three elephants living at the Toronto Zoo. They will soon be moving to a new home, but they don’t know where yet.
They are waiting for the zoo to decide the best place for them.
For many years, the elephants have been one of the most popular attractions at the Toronto Zoo.
However, since 1984 seven elephants have died at the zoo and now the last three are getting old. The zoo has decided to send them somewhere else to live out their remaining years.
“Next steps – and top priority – is determining an AZA-accredited location for our three elephants,” says Cynthia Shipley, a spokesperson for the Toronto Zoo.
AZA is the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. If a zoo belongs to AZA it has to follow strict rules to make sure the animals are safe, healthy and happy. The Toronto Zoo is part of AZA and also its Canadian counterpart, CAZA.
Earlier this year, the former host of the TV game show “The Price Is Right” came to Toronto to try to get the elephants sent to California. Bob Barker, who is also an animal lover, thought the elephants at the zoo were getting too old and the weather in Toronto was too cold for them.
He wanted to send the elephants to a sanctuary in California called PAWS (Performing Animal Welfare Society). A sanctuary is a place of safety. But PAWS is not part of AZA, so it’s not likely the Toronto Zoo will send Toka, Thika and Iringa there.
Everyone who visits the Toronto Zoo will miss the elephants. But they will also wish them well at their new home, wherever that may be.
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS
By Kathleen Tilly
Writing/Discussion Prompt
In order to belong to AZA, a zoo has to follow “strict rules to make sure the animals are safe, healthy and happy.” What rules do you think zoos, like the Toronto Zoo, would have to follow? Brainstorm a list of rules and explain how each rule would help to keep the animals safe, healthy and happy.
Reading Prompt
Have you ever been to a zoo? What animals did you see at the zoo? What did you learn there?
If you haven’t been to a zoo, would you like to go? Why or why not?
Primary
Extend understanding of texts by connecting the ideas in them to their own knowledge and experience, to other familiar texts, and to the world around them (OME, Reading: 1.6).
Junior
Extend understanding of texts by connecting the ideas in them to their own knowledge, experience, and insights, to other familiar texts, and to the world around them (OME, Reading: 1.6).
Grammar Feature: Acronyms
An acronym is a shortened word or set of words. An acronym often uses the first letter of each word. For example, ESL stands for English as a Second Language. Another example of an acronym is USA, which stands for the United States of America.
Can you find the acronyms in the article? Make a list of the acronyms and write down what each acronym stands for.
