July 27, 2005 -- Juno and Savannah are staying at the El Paso Zoo but Wednesday's decision does not bring to an end their story.

Instead, the zoo now has two elephant exhibits to consider: the current one housing the elephants, and one that could bring even more elephants.

As KFOX was first to report, the local group, "Concerned Citizens for Juno and Savannah" wants the elephants relocated to the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee.

The group says it is in sanctuary that Juno and Savannah will be able to recover from the persistent foot and joint problems brought on by living on their current zoo enclosure that's less than an acre.

After two hours of passionate debate on both sides, council voted unanimously to keep the elephants in place, giving zoo officials what they wanted, the chance to call the shots in their own workplace.

"Those decisions need to be made on a local level," said zoo director, Lea Hutchison.

But the zoo wasn't given a clean bill. It was ordered by council to come back in six months with a detailed plan on improving the elephant exhibit. The proposal would expand the habitat to an acre and a half and cost the city $50,000 to $60,000. Mayor John Cook is confident the city will front it through bond money.

"This is a city facility and I think the money would be viable. $50,000-$60,000 is not that big of a challenge to us," Cook said.

Activists asking for the elephant's relocation believe the promised money will not surface.

"I'm not sure that making a little bit bigger space for Juno and Savannah is going to be first and foremost on the agenda," said Marilie Sage, co-founder of "Concerned Citizens for Juno and Savannah."

The biggest surprise to come out of the meeting with a proposal to transform nearby park land into an elephant sanctuary for male elephants.

"There are a lot of male elephants that are in situations that could be greatly improved," Dr. Hutchison said.

If okayed, the proposed exhibit would cost the city $5-$6 million. Those who like the idea say El Paso's payoff would come as the first city in the country to provide sanctuary for male elephants.

Local activists say it would do nothing for Juno and Savannah

"They should not have to stay there while we debate the issue of getting male elephants and making a large enclosure for male elephants," Sage said.

On Saturday, KFOX will bring you a special, 30-minute presentation on the Juno and Savannah controversy, how it started, what unfolded, and why even with council's decision, it is not over.

Join us Saturday following KFOX NEWS AT NINE for the Juno and Savannah story.