SAN DIEGO -- Animal rights activists who oppose a plan to transfer an elephant from San Diego to Salt Lake rallied outside the San Diego Zoo Wednesday, 10News reported.

The elephant, named Wankie, is the only survivor of three elephants that were transferred from the Wild Animal Park to Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo in 2003.

Now, zoo officials want to send Wankie to Salt Lake City's Hogle Zoo, 10News reported.

But the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said that zoo has a troubling history with animals in its care.

PETA believes Wankie's two companions died because they were sent to an ill-equipped facility. But San Diego Zoo officials maintain the animals died from natural causes.

PETA wants the zoo to send Wankie to an accredited sanctuary in Tennessee.