Man steals elephant from Valley Zoo, Terra Poole

Man steals elephant from Valley Zoo
By Terra Poole

An Edmonton man is charged with theft after he was found Tuesday with an elephant that was stolen from the Valley Zoo early March.

Jayme Hagen, 22, was caught by helicopter surveillance Tuesday morning with Lucy the elephant in his backyard.

"I just wanted an elephant so bad," said Hagen.

Hagen didn't know Lucy
Hagen said he never heard of Save Lucy, a military group trying to get elephants into the military, and that he simply took the elephant for his own enjoyment.

He said he never knew Lucy was a famous elephant.

The plan
He was able to get the elephant out of the Valley Zoo by giving the guards money at the gates.

“It was simple really,” said Hagen. “When you want an elephant, you just have to set your mind to it.”

Edmonton police said they were shocked it was so easy for Hagen to steal the elephant.

“It’s shocking he was able to get the elephant to his home in St. Albert without anybody noticing,” said Const. Terra Poole.

Lucy's health
Hagen had Lucy almost three weeks and Valley Zoo health inspectors said the elephant has not been in better health in years.

“You know, an elephant just needs some tender love and care,” said Hagen.

Hagen is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday for theft over $5,000.

The Valley Zoo is approximately 40 kilometres from St. Albert.

Note: Image from Hamilton Spectator


Jayme Hagen prepared for the elephant's arrival by building a 15 foot tall fence around the perimeter of his yard. He said he had been planning the elephant’s arrival for months.

Hagen has had no previous criminal record.

He is a renowned journalist who writes for Globe and Mail.

The project Save Lucy is a military funded program that was founded by Jesse Snyder in 1993. The program is trying to get elephants into the military, said Snyder.

Snyder said he believes elephants will give Canada a major advantage over other countries in terms of intimidation.

“Against other countries, Canada doesn’t really compete in terms of the military,” said Snyder. “I think that’ll all change when we get elephants.”


The Save Lucy program started first with other animals, such as lions and bears; however they were never able to intimidate the enemies as he hopes elephants will. He said it’s all about size.

The Valley Zoo was founded in 1910 by a United States military group. The grounds were created as a base to house their military fighter plans. It became a zoo in 1912 in efforts to conceal the fighter planes.

The zoo is still occupied by the United States army but is used more as a zoo. There are various animals that habitat there including (but not limited to):

• penguins
• eagles
• apes
• piranhas
• bears
• eels
• crocodiles

Note: image from Icis

*none of the above reflects any real news. Everything has been fabricated.