On Friday, the St. Louis Zoo mourned the loss of Rani, a cherished 27-year-old Asian elephant. Rani passed away from a suspected heart attack linked to her death. This followed a distressing incident involving a loose dog that startled her herd.
Rani could not be revived despite the zoo’s animal care team’s best efforts. She is survived by her mother, Ellie, her two sisters, and her daughter, Jade, who remain at the zoo.
Zoo director Michael Macek expressed profound sadness over Rani’s death and called for community support during this difficult time.
The incident began when caretakers noticed an unleashed dog near the Elephant Barn, which caused significant distress among the elephants. Tragically, Rani collapsed while eating, unaware of the commotion around her.
Rani arrived at the St. Louis Zoo in July 2001 at age five, accompanied by her mother, Ellie, who is now 52 and still resides at the zoo. Rani was known for her distinctive squeals, a sound her daughter Jade loved to imitate.
However, Rani became distressed by the noise from the herd, leading to circling behavior and eventual collapse.
A necropsy revealed underlying heart issues, prompting further investigation by zoo pathologists to pinpoint the exact cause of her death.
The zoo’s Elephant Care Team, both current and former members, paid their respects to Rani, and other elephants were allowed to be near her.
Jade, Rani’s 16-year-old daughter, fondly remembers her mother’s unique squeals, as shared by Katie Pilgram-Kloppe, manager of the River’s Edge area.
Pilgram-Kloppe described Rani as a beloved member of the elephant family who enjoyed playtime with her two sisters.
The presence of the dog at the zoo is still unexplained. While service animals with restrictions are allowed, pets are not. The zoo confirmed that the dog was safely taken to a shelter.
Rani was eating in the Elephant Barn when the incident occurred. Despite focusing on her meal, she was affected by the panic among her fellow elephants as the dog caused chaos.
Asian elephants are known for their impressive longevity, with lifespans of up to 70 years in the wild and up to 80 years in captivity. Despite their global population of 40,000-50,000, they face significant survival challenges.
Recently, the St. Louis Zoo decided to relocate one of its Asian elephants as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan.
This plan aims to manage the North American population carefully, ensuring their well-being and preserving genetic diversity.
Asian elephants, native to China, India, and Malaysia, are the largest land mammals on earth. They typically live around 70 years in the wild and up to 80 years in captivity.
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