As zookeepers and veterinarians noticed her decline, she was put on Zoo hospice care to closely monitor her health and keep her as comfortable as possible. Out of the Zoo’s deep love for this animal, the decision was made to humanely euthanize her to avoid any suffering.
Tyranza was the oldest African elephant in North America at 56 and she set the record for longest-lived African elephant in North America as well.Ty was born in the wild in 1964, where it is believed she was orphaned. After a short stint as a circus elephant with Ringling Brothers, she was retired to Memphis Zoo in 1977. She was 12 years old at the time. Former associate curator, Houston Winbigler was one of the first to meet Ty when she arrived in Memphis and he worked with her for almost 40 years. According to Winbigler, it took Ty some time to get used to her new home.
The Video was taken May 2016.
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