27-year-old zoo elephant dies after loose dog agitates herd, Missouri officials say
An Asian elephant has died at a Missouri zoo after an incident with a dog, officials say.
Rani, a 27-year-old female elephant who lived at the Saint Louis Zoo for most of her life, died on Oct. 13, according to a news release by the zoo.
“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.”
Officials say a small dog was loose, running in a non-public area near the elephant barn. Rani was inside the barn eating and didn’t see the dog, but another elephant outside did and became agitated.
“The Elephant Care team observed Rani become agitated in reaction to the vocalizations from the herd,” officials said. “They saw Rani circle and vocalize, all within a very brief period, before collapsing.”
Zoo workers and animal health teams immediately performed emergency care and tried to revive her, but Rani did not make it, officials said.
“Rani was a special member of this elephant family group,” said Katie Pilgram-Kloppe, a zoological manager.
Rani was a mother of three: Jade, Kenzi and Avi, officials said.
“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,” Pilgram-Kloppe said.
Rani came to the zoo in 2001 with her mother, Ellie, zoo keepers said. Ellie is still alive at 52 years old. The two were moved there to join the zoo’s existing herd after it was recommended by the Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Initial necropsy results revealed some preexisting “changes in her heart,” officials said. Further testing will be done to find out more.
This story was originally published October 18, 2023 at 2:18 PM with the headline "27-year-old zoo elephant dies after loose dog agitates herd, Missouri officials say."
