Alaskans Allowed to Have Own Elephants

JUNEAU, Alaska — Citizens of Alaska are now permitted to own elephants, thanks to legislation signed by Gov. Tony Knowles in honor of a pachyderm named Moxie.

The measure authorizes the state’s fish and game commissioner to issue elephant-ownership permits as long as the applicant intends to exhibit the animal commercially and fulfills other legal stipulations. It came after owners of a carnival elephant named Moxie had been told by the state Department of Fish and Game that it was illegal to keep such an exotic animal in Alaska.