Another elephant dies at St. Louis Zoo - St. Louis Post-Dispatch
ST. LOUIS — A second elephant in less than four weeks has died at the St. Louis Zoo.
The zoo announced Thursday morning that Donna, a 52-year-old Asian elephant, had been euthanized. She had been in irreversible and rapidly declining health, zoo officials said.
Rani, a 27-year-old Asian elephant, died at the zoo on Oct. 13 after a loose stray dog frightened another elephant outside the Elephant Barn. That elephant agitated other elephants inside the barn, and they in turn agitated Rani, who began turning in a circle before collapsing. The zoo's pathologist later discovered that Rani had a previously unknown heart condition.
A chain of events started by a small, unleashed dog may have contributed to Rani's death.
Last month, Donna was diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism. A tumor on her parathyroid gland secreted a hormone that increased the level of calcium in her body, and zoo officials said they could not operate on it. They treated her with medication, which became less effective as the tumor grew.
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"The Animal Care team decided that euthanasia was the kindest and most humane action," zoo officials said in a statement.
At 52, Donna lived a little longer than the average Asian elephant in captivity. The median life expectancy for female elephants under human care is 47.5 years.
"Donna was an extraordinary elephant and beloved member of our family. She has had an immeasurable impact on us all, and the barn will be a quieter place without her wisdom, mischief, and music," said Katie Pilgram-Kloppe, zoological manager of River's Edge at the zoo.
According to the zoo, Donna was born in the wild and came to St. Louis at a young age in 1971. The endangered species list had not yet been created at that time, zoo officials said.
Donna had no offspring of her own, but she helped to raise some of the younger elephants at the zoo, including Raja, now 31, who was the first elephant born at the zoo.
Zookeepers gave Donna extra pampering and love in her final week, treating her to her favorite foods. The surviving elephants — Sri, Pearl, Ellie, Maliha, Jade, Priya and Raja — were given plenty of time with her to say goodbye.
Regina Mossotti, vice president of animal care, said, "Donna has been a great ambassador for her species, sharing with the St. Louis Zoo guests why elephants are so special and how we can help support conservation efforts for Asian elephants."
Photographs from St. Louis Post-Dispatch staff for the week beginning Oct. 29, 2023. Video by Beth O'Malley
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