Asian Elephant Rani Dies at St. Louis Zoo

In a heartbreaking turn of events, a female Asian elephant named Rani has passed away at the St. Louis Zoo. The 27-year-old elephant's untimely demise was linked to an incident that left her herd in distress – the appearance of a small, uncontrolled dog in their vicinity. Zoo director Michael Macek shared the unfortunate news in a press release.

Unfortunate Incident

The tragedy unfolded when a small dog, roaming freely in a non-public area near the Elephant Barn, caused agitation among the elephants. Caretakers were attempting to manage the situation, but one of the elephants outside the barn became unsettled and was moved indoors.

Rani was already in the barn, peacefully enjoying her meal, unaware of the dog's presence. However, the elephant care team noticed her growing agitation in response to the herd's vocalizations. Within a short span, Rani started to exhibit unusual behavior, including circling and vocalizing before eventually collapsing. Despite valiant efforts, their attempts to revive Rani were unsuccessful.

Preexisting Health Questions

Initial findings from a necropsy indicated some preexisting heart-related issues, but further examinations are underway to determine if these factors contributed to her passing.

Mystery of the Intruding Dog

The circumstances of how the dog entered the zoo remain unclear. Although the St. Louis Zoo permits service animals with specific restrictions, household pets are not allowed within the premises. The dog was safely handed over to a shelter.

Rani's Legacy

Rani, who arrived at the St. Louis Zoo in 2001 from another facility, played a significant role in the Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan, established by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. This plan seeks to oversee the well-being and genetic diversity of the North American Asian elephant population. Her mother, Ellie, who remains at the zoo at the age of 52, was part of this endeavor.

Rani's legacy extends to her 16-year-old daughter, Jade, who also resides at the zoo. Rani was known for her unique squeaking noises during social interactions with her family, a characteristic that her daughter Jade has adopted, according to Katie Pilgram-Kloppe, manager of the River's Edge area where the elephants reside.

The Asian Elephant's Plight

The World Wildlife Fund identifies Asian elephants as an endangered species, with a population of fewer than 50,000 in the wild. The decline in their numbers is primarily attributed to habitat loss and poaching. These elephants are the largest land mammals on the Asian continent.

The St. Louis Zoo mourns the loss of Rani and requests the support and thoughts of the community during this difficult time.