Group: SA zoo mistreats elephant

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - An animal rights organization has complained to the U.S. Department of Agriculture about the San Antonio Zoo and an elephant.

The matter concerns the zoo's treatment of its only elephant, named "Lucky." Catherine Doyle with the group In Defense of Animals said the zoo should send Lucky to a sanctuary.

Critics said Lucky is suffering from a lack of companionship, her enclosure is too small and its surface is too flat and hard, resulting in arthritis in her feet and legs.

The 49-year-old Asian elephant has lived at the zoo for 47 years. Her previous companion, a female African elephant named Alport, died two years ago.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums has renewed a variance that grants the zoo until March to find Lucky a companion. Zoo executive director Steve McCusker said they're very close to getting that accomplished.