The Virginia Zoo's two African elephants will move to a new home in Florida next year.
The zoo in Norfolk announced Tuesday that female elephants Lisa and Cita will be relocated to Zoo Miami during the spring of 2016.
The move is in response to new criteria from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums which require zoos with elephants to have at least three of them by September 2016. According to the association, social interaction is an important part of elephants' mental and physical health.
Zoo Miami has two female African elephants, Mable and Peggy.
The Virginia Zoo says in a news release that Zoo Miami will provide the best combination of climate, space and socialization for Lisa and Cita.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
