Female elephant to arrive at North Carolina Zoo

ASHEBORO, N.C. (AP) — A female African elephant will be moved from a zoo in Canada to the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro.

Zoo officials say the elephant is coming on breeding loan to help her species survive and stay healthy. The 19-year-old elephant, named Samantha, will likely arrive in a climate-controlled truck from the Valley Zoo in Edmonton, Alberta.

Officials aren't sure how long she will stay, but they hope the zoo's elephant herd will include two males and five females by the end of the year.

The North Carolina Zoo is working on a $2.5 million renovation of its elephant exhibit.

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