DALLAS -- The lone, and perhaps lonely, elephant at the Dallas Zoo is being sent to a park in Mexico.

The zoo Tuesday announced plans to relocate Jenny, a 32-year-old African elephant.

Jenny's pachyderm pal, 39-year-old Keke, had health problems and had to be euthanized in May.

Zoo spokesman Sean Greene said that this fall, Jenny would move to the African Safari Park and join three other elephants.

"You've got to think about what's best for the animal," Greene said.

He said the drive-through Africa Safari Park, about 80 miles southeast of Mexico City in Puebla state, is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. So is the Dallas Zoo.

The move drew complaints from In Defense of Animals, an animal protection group, which called on the Dallas City Council to ask the zoo to reverse the decision.

"We're shocked and appalled that the Dallas Zoo is moving Jenny out of the country to a facility where she is not protected by U.S. animal welfare and anti-cruelty laws," said IDA elephant expert Catherine Doyle. "The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee was ready to accept Jenny. There is no reason to send Jenny out of the country when a world-class facility so nearby offered to take her."

The Dallas Zoo's elephant exhibit will be turned into a giraffe habitat and should open next spring.

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