Shaunzi, LA Zoo's 53-Year-Old Female Asian Elephant, Has Died

Shaunzi, a 53-year-old female Asian elephant who spent much of her early years in a circus, has died, the Los Angeles Zoo announced Thursday.

According to a statement from the zoo, Shaunzi had been hanging out in her habitat with their other female elephant, Tina. But around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, staff noticed Shaunzi on the ground and unable to stand back up.

The L.A. Zoo said veterinarians and animal care staff worked through the night to help her back up, but despite “extraordinary efforts,” they were ultimately unsuccessful. The zoo decided to sedate and euthanize Shaunzi early Wednesday morning.

“The Los Angeles Zoo staff is devastated by this loss,” it said in the statement. “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.”

Shaunzi was originally from Thailand and spent much of her early elephant years in a circus. She first came to California at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo in 1983 before moving south to the L.A. Zoo in 2017.

The L.A. Zoo said she lived a full life and was an ambassador for her endangered species.

“She will be dearly missed by the Los Angeles Zoo staff, members, and the millions of visitors who come to the Zoo each year,” it said in a statement. “Rest in peace, Shaunzi.”

On Saturday evening, local animal protection groups will hold a candlelight vigil in front of the L.A. Zoo to honor the elephants who died in captivity in 2023. According to the event page, the vigil will memorialize Jewel, an elephant who died at the L.A. Zoo around this time last year.