TORONTO - The Toronto Zoo voted to relocate its three aging elephants Thursday but some critics argue the decision to move them to another zoo instead of an animal sanctuary is the wrong choice.

The facility's management board voted 5-2 to move Toka, Thika and Iringa to a facility accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Animal rights activists -- including former game show host Bob Barker -- had been pressuring the zoo to move the animals because Canada's cold climate isn't suitable for them. But they wanted to see them sent to sanctuaries in the southern United States, not another zoo.

The board's decision reflects a recent report that recommended the elephants be moved to an accredited zoo rather than a sanctuary, but it doesn't guarantee the elephants will be sent to sunnier climates. There are accredited zoos across North America, including some in cities with harsh winters.

"The good news is they're going to release the three elephants but the bad news is they're considering a zoo," Barker said in a telephone interview.

Barker was in Toronto last month hoping to convince zoo officials that a sanctuary in California or Tennessee would be the best option for the animals because there would be more space and softer ground in the winter, which would help prevent potentially painful foot infections. The former host of "The Price is Right" had also offered to contribute to the cost of relocation.

The board spent the day hearing submissions on the future of the elephant program with many animal rights groups making the case for sanctuaries.

But CEO John Tracogna told the meeting the zoo preferred an accredited facility over a sanctuary because it could hurt the zoo's standing if it selected a sanctuary over another zoo.

Sanctuaries are not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and some believe that puts the animals at risk.

Councillor Paul Ainslie, who's the board's vice chair, said it was with a heavy heart he was accepting the recommendations to retire the elephants. But he said he wanted them to go to a good facility, just like he wants to when he gets old.

"When my kids are trying to decide what to do with me, I want to go to a licensed nursing home," said Ainslie.

"I think in the same way we've looked after our elephants for such a long time and done such an excellent job of it, I think the only option is to accept a transfer to a AZA-accredited institution."

Tracogna said it will take up to two years to complete the relocation because that amount of time is required to obtain the necessary permits and train the animals for shipment.

Andrew Smith with the Elephant Managers' Association told the meeting the best option for the elephants was to remain at the Toronto Zoo but the report issued earlier this month said continuing to keep Toka, Thika and Iringa would require renovations at an estimated cost of $16.5 million.

Board member Glenn De Baeremaeker voted in favour of sending the animals to a sanctuary and said he was disappointed with the outcome.

"Our elephants are wonderful, they're beautiful, they're old," he said. "They get cold during January. They should be retired somewhere where it's sunny and warm."

Julie Woodyer of Zoocheck Canada, a national animal protection group, said after the meeting that it might be difficult to find a zoo willing to take the trio.

"They don't want old elephants that don't breed," she said. "I hope they go to a warm climate with a large facility and I hope they don't wait too long to move them."

Toka and Iringa are in their 40s and Thika is in their 30s. Four elephants who died at the zoo in the past five years were around the age of 40.

The zoo will now begin looking for a facility that can take all three elephants but they could end up being separated.