ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Zoo employees in St. Louis announced they are saddened by the death of their 27-year-old elephant "Rani".
The Saint Louis Zoo said the 27-year-old female Asian elephant unexpectedly passed away at about 4 p.m. on Friday, October 13.
“We are absolutely devastated. We ask for the community’s thoughts and support during this difficult time,� said Michael Macek, Saint Louis Zoo Director. “Our team of professional animal care experts did everything possible, but we couldn’t save Rani."
The zoo said a necropsy was performed by the zoo's pathologist which revealed some preexisting changes to her heart. They said the significance of the changes is unknown at this time and there will be more testing.
"At 3:39 p.m. on Friday, October 13, a small, unleashed dog was seen running in a non-public area near the Elephant Barn. While the Elephant Care team was working to contain the dog, its presence caused the elephant that was outside to become agitated. The Elephant Care team worked quickly to move the elephant indoors away from the disturbance. While this situation was occurring outdoors, Rani was already indoors in her bedroom having dinner. She was not near, nor did she ever see the dog," the zoo stated in a social media post.
The team who were caring for the elephant saw Rani was agitating in reaction to the vocalizations from the herd. They then saw Rani circle and vocalize, then collapsed to the ground.
Even though emergency care was performed on Rani, the care and animal health teams were unable to revive her.
Past and current crew members said their goodbyes to Rani on Friday evening. The zoo said the rest of the herd calmed down and are doing well.
“Rani was a special member of this elephant family group,� said Katie Pilgram-Kloppe, Zoological Manager of River’s Edge. “She loved playing with her sisters Maliha and Priya. While growing up here in St. Louis, she got to learn from her own mom, Ellie, on how to be an amazing mother herself. She had a great relationship with her animal care team and all of the other elephants. When socializing with her family she made a unique squeaking noise that her daughter Jade also mimics.�
River’s Edge Keeper Becky added, “It’s been a privilege to get to know Rani from just a youngster when she moved here to then watch her become a mother and grow with the elephant family. She will be greatly missed.�
