A female Asian elephant named Rani tragically passed away at the St. Louis Zoo on Friday following a suspected heart attack caused by a small dog that had entered her herd’s enclosure. The zoo announced the 27-year-old elephant’s death on Tuesday.
“We are heartbroken. Our team did everything possible, but we couldn’t save Rani,” said Michael Macek, the zoo’s director, in a statement. He also expressed gratitude for the community’s support during this challenging time.
The incident unfolded when zoo staff spotted a loose dog near the Elephant Barn. Although attempts were made to capture the dog, one of the elephants became agitated and had to be moved indoors. Rani, who had been peacefully eating inside, was unaware of the situation at first.
Soon after, Rani became visibly upset, reacting to the noises made by the herd. She circled, vocalized, and collapsed within moments.
The zoo’s elephant care team immediately tried to revive her but could not save her. A necropsy, the animal equivalent of an autopsy, revealed Rani had preexisting heart conditions.
Further testing is being conducted to confirm whether these issues contributed to her sudden death.
After her passing, members of the Elephant Care Team gathered to spend time with Rani, offering their respects. Her herd was also given time to calm down and say goodbye.
Rani has been a beloved part of the St. Louis Zoo since 2001 when she arrived as a five-year-old with her mother, Ellie, who is still living at the zoo at 52. Rani leaves behind her 16-year-old daughter, Jade, who was known for imitating her mother’s unique squeals.
According to Katie Pilgram-Kloppe, the manager of the River’s Edge area of the zoo, Rani was a cherished member of the zoo’s elephant family, often seen playing with her two sisters.
Zoo officials are still investigating how the dog managed to enter the enclosure, as pets are prohibited. The dog has since been taken to a shelter.
Rani’s move to the St. Louis Zoo had been part of the Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan, a program overseen by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums to maintain the health and genetic diversity of the Asian elephant population in North America.
With only an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 Asian elephants remaining worldwide, the species is considered endangered.
Native to regions including China, India, and Malaysia, Asian elephants are the world’s largest land mammals.
In the wild, they can live up to 70 years, while those in captivity have been known to reach 80 years of age.
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