ST. LOUIS — The Saint Louis Zoo is mourning the loss of one of the biggest and most beloved members of their family Thursday.
Donna, a 52-year-old Asian elephant, was euthanized Thursday morning after a "rapid and irreversible worsening of her health" in the last few days. In a press release, the zoo said she was diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism in October.
“All who knew and loved Donna will miss her greatly,” Regina Mossotti, the vice president of Animal Care, said in the press release. “Our dedicated and expert Animal Care team did everything in their power to make sure Donna was comfortable as they managed her end-of-life care."
She arrived at the Saint Louis Zoo in 1971 at a young age and spent nearly her entire life in St. Louis.
The release described Donna as a "fantastic auntie" to the rest of the Asian elephants at the zoo. She did not have any children of her own, but she was a playmate for Raja in his younger years and taught Raja's kids manners as they were growing up.
The release said you could pick Donna out by her distinctive, constantly flapping ears, stumpy tail and enlarged temporal gland, which was a beauty mark she was born with.
“Donna has been a great ambassador for her species, sharing with the Saint Louis Zoo guests why elephants are so special and how we can help support conservation efforts for Asian elephants,” Mossotti said.
The release said past and present members of the Animal Care team prepared to say goodbye to the animal they loved by showering Donna with extra pampering and treating her to her favorite foods. The release also said all of the elephants — Sri, Pearl, Ellie, Maliha, Jade, Priya and Raja — were given time with Donna to say goodbye.
The median life expectancy for Asian elephant females under human care is 47.5 years old.
This is the second death of an Asian elephant at the Saint Louis Zoo in less than a month. Rani, a 27-year-old elephant, died suddenly on Friday, Oct. 13.