A judge has dismissed the lawsuit brought by Northwest Animal Rights Network and two private citizens against Woodland Park Zoo and the City of Seattle.

In its lawsuit, the Animal Rights Network attempted to force transfer of the zoo's Asian elephant Bamboo away from the Northwest and the human-interactive lifestyle she has known all her life to a private elephant facility in Tennessee. The group made various allegations related to the federal Endangered Species Act, the State Environmental Policy Act and unspecified public trust obligations. They also charged that the city illegally "gifted" the animals to the zoo.

Superior Court Judge Julie Spector ruled in favor of the zoo and the city on all issues, granting the zoo's and the city's motion to dismiss claims or the rights group.

"Bamboo and all our elephants are healthy and thriving," said Jan Hendrickson, chair of the zoo's board of directors, "and we hope everyone comes to visit them in our award-winning Elephant Forest exhibit. It's unfortunate that we had to divert valuable human and financial resources to address these misguided attempts to move Bamboo. This was an expensive and inappropriate use of our judicial system."

Dr. Deborah Jensen, the zoo's president and chief executive said Woodland Park is "known around the world as one of the world's finest.

"We are proud of the care and treatment afforded all our zoo's animals, including our beloved elephants. We remain committed to ensuring the long-term well being of our elephants and to conservation programs that protect these magnificent animals in the wild."