Chicago Zoological Society

Described by her keepers as a busybody who loves playing and splashing in water, Joyce, a 26-year-old African elephant, arrived at Brookfield Zoo on Sunday, August 9, and she's already enjoying the wading pool and mud wallow in the zoo’s newly renovated outdoor elephant yard.

In a truck specially designed to ensure her safety, Joyce made the journey from Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, Calif., an accredited Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) facility, to Brookfield Zoo. She made the trip accompanied by a zoo veterinarian and elephant experts from both institutions. She comes to Chicago Zoological Society’s (CZS) Brookfield Zoo as part of a cooperative loan and was recommended by the AZA African Elephant Species Survival Plan (SSP). A resident at Discovery Kingdom since August 2005, Joyce previously was owned by several private individuals and a traveling circus. She will now become a companion for Christy, Brookfield Zoo’s 28-year-old African elephant, whom she will formally meet in a series of supervised introductions.


“We are thrilled to have Joyce join Christy here at the zoo. Our elephant team spent a long time visiting and evaluating suitable companions for Christy. We believe Joyce, with her easy-going temperament and playful manner is a great match, and that this will be good for both elephants,” said Kim Smith, CZS vice president of animal care, who added that: “Joyce really is a beautiful elephant. You could even say she’s pretty.”

At nearly eight feet tall and 6,800 pounds, Joyce is slightly larger than Christy. She loves fruit, preferring oranges, but also ranks watermelon and cantaloupe high among her food favorites.

Brookfield’s animal care staff made it a top priority to find Christy a suitable companion after the unexpected death of Affie, the zoo’s other African elephant, in May. Affie lived at Brookfield Zoo for 30 years, and at nearly 40 years old, was the fifth oldest African elephant cared for in an accredited North American zoo.

“During the summer our keepers have put a lot of extra time into Christy’s care and training because we wanted to help her adjust after losing her friend, Affie. She formed a stronger bond with her keepers and is doing very well,” Smith said.

Staff is planning on introducing the two elephants as soon as possible. During this process, Joyce and Christy will be rotated on and off exhibit. Once introductions are complete, the two will be on exhibit together. Also, while Joyce gets accustomed to her new home and while Brookfield Zoo elephant keepers get to know her better, the assistant curator of mammals from Discovery Kingdom will stay a few weeks at Brookfield Zoo to assist in Joyce’s transition.

Even though Joyce traveled extensively during her years in the circus and has been accustomed to changing environments, Smith said that introducing two elephants is a highly planned process and takes considerable time to allow for adjustments. “Both elephants will need to adjust to one another and figure out their relationship with each other,” she said. “We have experts on hand to assist in this introduction and feel confident it will go well. Our focus is always on doing what is best for each animal.”

CZS President and CEO Stuart Strahl said Joyce’s arrival is part of Brookfield Zoo’s strong commitment to elephants. “Zoos play an important role in elephant conservation globally and we plan to continue expanding our elephant program and our work on behalf of elephants in the wild,” he said.