Laraque offers incentive to send Lucy south

A former Edmonton Oiler has offered to open his wallet in the aid of Lucy the elephant.

Lucy has been the subject of much controversy in recent years. She is in ailing health and has been the only elephant at the Valley Zoo for some time. Several animals rights activists, including Bob Barker are trying to get Lucy moved to an animal sanctuary in the United States.

Now Georges Laraque has joined that list. The longtime Oiler has written a letter to Stephen Mandel about Lucy. He's offering to donate $100,000 to fund sports projects in Edmonton in exchange for Lucy to be sent south.

In the letter he writes "...zoos can't begin to fulfill the social and physical needs of these highly intelligent animals, even zoos in far warmer areas have started to phase out their elephant exhibits."

He goes on to say "In exchange for Lucy's immediate release, I would like to offer $100,000 toward any one of the several city projects-such as the new downtown arena or upgrades to the Edmonton Indy racetrack-that need funding."

Laraque adds that Lucy's mental distress problems are reason enough to send her to a sanctuary, and he hopes his proposal creates even more incentive.