BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - The Buffalo Zoo's two aging Asian elephants are moving to New Orleans.

  

Zoo officials announced Tuesday that the 35- and 36-year-old female elephants will move out of the zoo's 1912 elephant house and adjoining yard to a newly renovated exhibit that houses two other aging elephants at the Audubon Zoo.

  

The new space in Louisiana has multiple pools, shade trees and a new barn with heated and padded floors.

  

Buffalo's cramped elephant house has long been criticized by animal rights activists as inadequate, especially given Buffalo's long winters.

  

Buffalo Zoo Board Chairman Jonathan Dandes says the decision to move the elephants demonstrates the zoo's willingness to do what's best for its animals.