Zoo elephants saved from death by royalty in France
Two zoo elephants have been saved from euthanasia in France after a public outcry - and have now been moved to live with Monaco's royal family.
Princess Stephanie of Monaco agreed to have Baby and Nepal, aged 42 and 43, live at the royal family's Roc Agel ranch in the Alpes-Maritimes region of southern France.
It had been decided that the elephants would be put to sleep after developing a suspected case of tuberculosis.
The Daily Telegraph reports that municipal officials in Lyon warned they could be a threat to the health of other animals and visitors at the Tete d'Or zoo after they became infected with TB, and suggested they be put down.
But over 11,000 people signed a petition against the animals' death, and film star Brigitte Bardot even threatened to quit the country for Russia if they were killed.
Princess Stephanie was on-hand at the zoo to watch the move and, according to news.com.au, zoo director Xavier Vaillant told AFP: "Everything went really well.
"They will live in a place where there will be no risk to the public."
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