A new program to treat Lucy the elephant's arthritis and breathing problems will be carried out at Edmonton's Valley Zoo.

Retired U.S. game show host Bob Barker stands beside Lucy, the Valley Zoo's Asian elephant, during a visit to Edmonton in September. (CBC)Officials said Friday there will be additional staff hours to give Lucy more daily exercise, along with a new rehabilitation therapy program and a study on how to increase the animal's indoor exercise space for cold weather.

The new fitness regime includes the goal of losing 1,000 pounds over the next year, which is not as impossible a task as it might sound, said Dr. Milton Ness, veterinarian at the Valley Zoo.

"Remember that she is an elephant, and she's a lot bigger than us," said Ness. "This is sort of like my doctor asking me to lose 25 or 30 pounds." Lucy weighs about 9,300 pounds now.

Zoo staff are also considering a jumbo treadmill to help Lucy get in shape.

The Valley Zoo also announced a new course of diagnosis and treatment to get to the bottom of her breathing problems.

Lucy, the Valley Zoo's Asian elephant, is being put on a fitness regime to lose 1,000 pounds. (CBC)The program was based on an evaluation by U.S. veterinarian Dr. James Oosterhuis that the zoo commissioned in September.

"I believe our treatment program shows we are taking Dr. Oosterhuis' report to heart. It lays out the further actions we are taking to address Lucy's health concerns," city community services general manager Linda Cochrane said in a news release.

"As we have said all along, our actions will be guided solely by what is in Lucy's best interests."

Animal rights groups have waged a campaign over the past couple of years urging the zoo to move Lucy to an elephant sanctuary in the United States.

Groups like Zoocheck believe that Edmonton's cold climate is undermining Lucy's health.

In September, zoo officials said they would not be moving Lucy after Oosterhuis determined a transfer could kill her.