New Bedford Elephants Could Appear on 2014 Ballot

It's an ongoing debate. Should elephants Emily and Ruth remain at the Buttonwood Park Zoo, or live out the rest of their lives at an out-of-state elephant sanctuary?

Local resident Joyce Rowley has started a campaign collecting signatures to get the question on next year's ballot.

Rowley tells WBSM's "Mid-Day Live" the sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee spreads across 2,700 acres and lets the elephants do as they please.

Rowley says Emily and Ruth don't necessarily get along in their small, dull habitat in New Bedford.

The Elephant Sanctuary has offered to take the pacyderms from the zoo at no charge.

Rowley needs 6,000 signatures for the ballot question, but hopes with newly elected members in the City Council, the issue can be sped along.