Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
An investigation into the psychological and physiological impact on elephants living in zoos.
Title: Lucy: The Stolen Lives of Elephants (2025)
Director: Fern Levitt
#Elephants #ZooAnimals
Lucy: The Stolen Lives of Elephants is a feature-length documentary film that looks at the plight of elephants in captivity and investigates the lies that zoos tell an unknowing public under the guise of wildlife conservation. At the heart of the film is Lucy, Edmonton Valley Zoo's lone and ailing 48-year-old elephant, and the humans fighting to have her health re-evaluated with the goal of transporting her to an elephant sanctuary.
Lucy’s roots are traced back to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka, where elephants are exploited as a tourist attraction, and many of them sold to zoos throughout the world. The film contrasts what it’s like for an elephant to live in captivity, alone in an impoverished environment, with footage of elephants in their natural habitat and in sanctuary. Meanwhile, zoos worldwide boast of their critical role in education and prevention of extinction of the many animals that are threatened in the wild.
The film features a story of hope and a glimpse at a possible future for Lucy through the
story of Kuky and Pupy, a pair of female elephants and their unusual, evolving zoo in Buenos Aires. As they wait to be transferred to a sanctuary, another pair of elephants in Argentina are relocated to the Global Sanctuary for Elephants in Brazil.
With The Jane Goodall Act (Bill S-15) awaiting ruling from the Canadian Senate, there is potential for positive change on the horizon. This law looks to a future where wild animals will no longer be living in captivity in Canada.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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bit.ly/WatchMore_CBCDocs
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An investigation into the psychological and physiological impact on elephants living in zoos.
Title: Lucy: The Stolen Lives of Elephants (2025)
Director: Fern Levitt
#Elephants #ZooAnimals
Lucy: The Stolen Lives of Elephants is a feature-length documentary film that looks at the plight of elephants in captivity and investigates the lies that zoos tell an unknowing public under the guise of wildlife conservation. At the heart of the film is Lucy, Edmonton Valley Zoo's lone and ailing 48-year-old elephant, and the humans fighting to have her health re-evaluated with the goal of transporting her to an elephant sanctuary.
Lucy’s roots are traced back to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka, where elephants are exploited as a tourist attraction, and many of them sold to zoos throughout the world. The film contrasts what it’s like for an elephant to live in captivity, alone in an impoverished environment, with footage of elephants in their natural habitat and in sanctuary. Meanwhile, zoos worldwide boast of their critical role in education and prevention of extinction of the many animals that are threatened in the wild.
The film features a story of hope and a glimpse at a possible future for Lucy through the
story of Kuky and Pupy, a pair of female elephants and their unusual, evolving zoo in Buenos Aires. As they wait to be transferred to a sanctuary, another pair of elephants in Argentina are relocated to the Global Sanctuary for Elephants in Brazil.
With The Jane Goodall Act (Bill S-15) awaiting ruling from the Canadian Senate, there is potential for positive change on the horizon. This law looks to a future where wild animals will no longer be living in captivity in Canada.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
More Shows:
bit.ly/WatchMore_CBCDocs
Stay Connected:
Facebook: bit.ly/CBCDocs-Facebook
Instagram: bit.ly/CBCDocs-Instagram
