A San Antonio City councilman has called on the local zoo and the Animal Legal Defense Fund to attempt mediation in an effort to improve an elephant’s living conditions.

City Councilman Joe Krier is hoping the process will provide a solution to the current situation, which has been deemed inadequate and unhealthy for Lucky the elephant. According to Krier, a number of his constituents are concerned about Lucky’s situation and have contacted the councilman’s office. He recently wrote a letter to the executive director of the San Antonio zoo, asking for the issues to be addressed.

Lucky is currently a resident at the zoo and is kept there in captivity by herself. Though the zoo claims it is trying to provide a safe, healthy environment, there is concern that Lucky’s being alone will be detrimental to her emotional and physical well-being. According to the zoo’s accrediting body, female elephants should live in at least groups of three due to their social nature.  She is the zoo’s lone Asian elephant and she is living in isolation, a situation that was allowed by the accreditors due to Lucky’s advanced age of 55 years.

There is also criticism that Lucky’s living space is too small and that only recently has the zoo begun to add enrichment to her living space. Some believe the improvements are only because of the media attention in recent weeks.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund has threatened to sue and many believe the problem could be solved through mediation. The lawsuit would likely be a longshot and could take years to resolve – years Lucky probably does not have.  Mediation would offer a fast-track solution and would serve as good public relations for the zoo in addition to improving Lucky’s situation ASAP.