Elephant Dies Suddenly At Toronto Zoo
Posted September 3, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Workers, volunteers and some animals are struggling to cope with the sudden loss of a gentle giant at the Toronto Zoo.
Tequila, a 38-year-old African elephant, was discovered dead in her outdoor exhibit Wednesday. She’d displayed no signs of sickness, according to zoo officials, and that combined with the fact these animals can live up to 45 years in captivity, has left the creature’s keepers and her family in shock.
Tequila’s 28-year-old daughter Thika refused to leave her mother’s side and expressed her sadness by throwing dirt on the body. Elephants, like humans, mourn the loss of loved ones, zoo staff said.
The animal, known for her intelligence and gentle nature around her keepers, will be buried on the zoo grounds. Her remains will be examined by veterinary staff and an expert from Guelph to determine the cause of death.
“All the staff who worked with Tequila are deeply saddened by this loss and have wonderful memories of her time with us,” Eric Cole, supervisor of the African Savanna, said in a statement.
“She would open her mouth for you to scratch her tongue and was always careful and deliberate in her movements around her Keepers, aware of the power of her great bulk. Her favourite treats were jellybeans which she would receive for letting her Keepers take a blood sample from her ear. She will be deeply missed by all her human and animal friends.”
The elephant was born in Southern Africa and came to the Toronto Zoo back in 1974.
Image of African elephant courtesy of Wikipedia
