Central Florida Zoo will be Transferring Maude, its Asian Elephant to Zoo Miami

By Brenda New

Sanford, FL - The Central Florida & Botanical Gardens announces it will be transferring Maude, the Asian elephant to Zoo Miami within the next month. Maude will share a home at Zoo Miami with two other Asian elephants and will become part of this elephant herd. “We have an obligation to all of our animals, and especially to Maude, to select what is in her best interest,” says Joe Montisano, CEO of Zoo. “After an extensive process and analysis of our options, we are confident this is best for her at this time.”

“Our staff has struggled over the past year with the decision to move Maude,” says Bonnie Breitbeil, Director of Animal Collections. “Maude has been a part of the Central Florida Zoo for nearly thirty years and the decision to relocate Maude was taken very seriously with the ultimate goal to do what is in the best interest of Maude. We have every reason to believe Maude will enjoy her new home at Zoo Miami and the companionship of their two elephants.”

In celebration of Maude and her move to her new home, the Zoo will host an “Elephant Send Off” party on February 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fun activities for the day include a bounce house, elephant arts and crafts, a big banner for all Maude’s friends to sign, elephant conservation booth, and an elephant-size cake for Maude to enjoy and one for her guests to share as well!

Maude came to the Central Florida Zoo in 1983 from Busch Gardens in Tampa.

About the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens - The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is a 116-acre private, nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and to engaging and educating our guests by sharing knowledge and celebrating our natural world. For more information regarding the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens visit www.centralfloridazoo.org or call 407.323.4450. The Zoo is located on I-4 Exit 104 in Sanford and is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

To view Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to: http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-348-Central_Florida_Zoo_&_Botanical_Gardens