The Saint Louis Zoo announced1 that Rani (pronounced “Ronnie”), a 27-year-old female Asian elephant, died suddenly on Friday, October 13, 2023, around 4 p.m.
Rani, the beloved Asian elephant (Photo courtesy of the Saint Louis Zoo).
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“We are absolutely devastated. We ask for the community’s thoughts and support during this difficult time,” Saint Louis Zoo Director Michael Macek said in a statement. “Our team of professional animal care experts did everything possible, but we could not save Rani.”1
According to a press release,1 Initial autopsy results showed pre-existing cardiac changes. Currently, the significance of these changes is unknown and further testing is underway.
About 20 minutes before Rani’s death, a lost dog that had entered the zoo was seen running in a non-public area near the Elephant Barn and its presence irritated an elephant outside. As the elephant care team worked to contain the dog and bring it to the shelter, they then moved the agitated elephant inside. The whole time Rani was inside, in her room, eating dinner, and she never saw the dog.
However, Rani became agitated in response to the herd’s vocalizations. She spun around in circles and vocalized briefly before collapsing.1 When Rani fell, the zoo’s elephant care and animal health teams quickly provided emergency care, but were unable to resuscitate her.
After Rani passed away, the current and past elephant care team and all the elephants had time to say goodbye to her and Rani. The rest of the herd quickly calmed down and is doing well.
Rani had Jade, Kenzi and Avi and was Ellie’s daughter. Raja, the zoo’s male elephant, fathered Rani and Ellie’s calves.
Rani and Ellie arrived at the St. Louis Zoo in July 2001, at the ages of 5 and 29, respectively, from another Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited zoo. This decision was based on an AZA Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan.
“Rani was a special member of this elephant family,” said Katie Pilgram-Kloppe, zoological manager at River’s Edge.1 “She loved playing with her sisters Maliha and Priya. Growing up here in St. Louis, she learned from her own mother, Ellie, how to be an amazing mother herself. She had a great relationship with her animal care team and all the other elephants. When socializing with her family, she would make a unique squeak that her daughter Jade also imitates.
“It’s been a privilege to get to know Rani from a young age when she moved here, and then to watch her become a mother and grow up with the elephant family,” added River’s Edge caretaker Becky. She will be greatly missed.
According to the WWF,2 there are fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants left in the wild, threatened by habitat loss and poaching.
The references
- Asian elephant Rani has died. Press release. St. Louis Zoo. October 17, 2023. Updated October 18, 2023. Accessed October 20, 2023. https://stlzoo.org/news/asian-elephant-rani-has-died
- Asian Elephant Facts. WWF. Accessed October 23, 2023. https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/asian-elephant