Sad news to report from the Little Rock Zoo, Sophie the elephant passed away early this morning, through humane euthanasia and the zoo will remain closed today to perform a necopsy.

Sophie the Elephant

Sophie a 56-year-old elephant was suffering from complications associated with a pyometra disease and was placed in hospice care earlier this year. Zoo staff were able to manage the progression of the disease and prolonged care which was considered a medical miracle in elephant veterinary medicine. Most elephants that are diagnosed with this disease rarely survive a year, the disease is non-operable in elephants and is incurable. Two full-time veterinarians were on-call every day of the week to attend to Sophie and the disease was managed as best as possible with pain medications and antibiotics.

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According to a press release, Sophie was one of three retired circus elephants along with Babe and Zina who came to the Little Zoo in 2013 from the Niabi Zoo. Sofie outlived most of the other elephants living in other zoos, she was estimated to be between 55 to 56 years of age. The life expectancy for most female Asian elephants is 47 years, Babe is 49 and Zina is now the oldest elephant at 64 this year.

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Sophie was a sweet elephant who will be missed by zoo guests and staff who cared for her all these years.

Memorial donations in memory of Sophie can be made at this link.  All the funds gifted to the Arkansas Zoological Foundation, in Sophie's name, will be forwarded to Asian Elephant Support.

For more information visit the Little Rock Zoo.

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