LA Zoo's 53-Year-Old Elephant Shaunzi Has Died, The Zoo Announced

LOS ANGELES, CA — Shaunzi, a 53-year-old elephant housed at the Los Angeles Zoo, died this week, the zoo announced Thursday.

Zookeepers found Shaunzi, an Asian elephant, in her exhibit Tuesday night unable to stand up. Veternarians and other zoo staff worked through the night to help her stand, though their "extraordinary" efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, according to a zoo release.

Shaunzi was sedated and euthanized early Wednesday morning, the zoo said.

"The Los Angeles Zoo staff is devastated by this loss. The care and wellbeing of the elephants and all of the animals at the Zoo is always a top priority. The responsibility of keeping animals is a privilege and the Zoo is committed to providing the highest standard of care to ensure the animals’ health and their ability to thrive," the zoo wrote.

Shaunzi was born in Thailand in 1971 and spent much of her youth in the Cristiani Bros. Circus. She arrived at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo in 1983 along with elephant Kara. As social animals, the pair were constant companions until Kara's death in 2017, according to the zoo.

Shaunzi was transported to LA that year so she could live with other elephants: Tina, Jewel, and Billy, the zoo said.

"Shaunzi lived a full life and was an ambassador for her species. She helped Angelenos learn about her wild counterparts and the challenges they face in their native range," the zoo said.

Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) are an endangered species. An estimated 30,000 to 50,000 live in the wild. Their numbers continue to decline due to logging and other clearing of their forest habitats as well as due to poaching for their tusks and other body parts, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.