The Santa Barbara Zoo has announced the euthanasia of one of its most cherished residents, Sujatha, a 47-year-old Asian elephant.
Sujatha, who had lived at the zoo since she was a young calf, was surrounded by her caretakers during her final moments on Tuesday.
Rich Block, the zoo’s CEO, expressed the deep sorrow felt by the staff, calling Sujatha’s passing “perhaps the most difficult moment” of his 20 years at the zoo.
For many of the elephant’s caretakers, some of whom had spent their entire careers caring for Sujatha, the loss was particularly painful. “There is no way to describe the sadness that is felt,” Block shared in a video statement.
Sujatha’s health had been gradually declining in recent years, though she had been able to maintain a comfortable life thanks to ongoing treatment.
However, in the past few weeks, her condition worsened, and she stopped responding to care, leading to the decision to humanely end her suffering.
Sujatha and her companion Little Mac arrived at the zoo in 1972 from India. The two elephants, both just over a year old at the time, had grown up together and shared a close bond.
After Sujatha’s passing, zoo officials allowed Little Mac to visit her body, hoping to ease her grieving process, as elephants are known to mourn the loss of their companions.
The zoo is closely monitoring Little Mac, and there is a possibility she may be relocated if she struggles to adjust to Sujatha’s absence.
“At the very least, Little Mac will remain at the zoo until she can be trained to enter a transport crate for relocation to join a herd elsewhere,” zoo officials stated.
Block praised Sujatha and Little Mac for their role as “ambassadors for Asian elephants” throughout their 46 years at the zoo, noting that generations of visitors had the chance to meet them.
“Children who first met them in the 1970s have brought their children, and some even their grandchildren, to meet these wonderful creatures,” he said.
Staff and outside experts are now determining the best course for Little Mac’s future.
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