Elephants’ move to Oklahoma delayed

SEATTLE (AP) – The Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle has agreed to postpone its planned transfer of two elephants to an Oklahoma zoo until after April 15 as foes of the move pursue legal challenges.

On Thursday, a state appeals court panel heard arguments in a case brought by the Elephant Justice Project, which hopes to block the move.

The Seattle Times reports (http://is.gd/NzriUo ) that lawyer Knoll Lowney asked the judges to delay the transfer and allow a full hearing on the activists’ argument that the city of Seattle, and not the Woodland Park Zoo Society, legally owns Chai and Bamboo. A lower state court refused to stop the move.

Zoo lawyer Paul Lawrence said Thursday the case has no merit. He says delaying the move could endanger the elephants by exposing them to hot temperatures during their trip to the Oklahoma City Zoo. He asked for a ruling no later than April 14.

Lawrence said the zoo has never disputed the fact that the city of Seattle has the authority to stop the transfer.

A separate appeal of a federal lawsuit should be decided by April 15.