( KRON ) — An African elephant who formerly lived at the Oakland Zoo died at an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee this week, the zoo announced Friday. Donna, described as “beloved member of the Oakland Zoo family,” was transferred to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee last year.
She was transferred to the sanctuary after her zoo companions M’Dunda and Lisa had passed, the zoo said. At the sanctuary, she lived with three female African elephants of similar age — Flora, Tange, and Sukari — as companions.
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According to zoo officials, Donna ate normally Tuesday morning before staff noticed a subtle change in her demeanor. Veterinary and elephant care personal were called to her said, but the elephant “passed away suddenly while under medical observation and evaluation,” the zoo said.
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Photo: Oakland Zoo -
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Photo: Oakland Zoo -
Photo: Oakland Zoo
At the time of her passing, work was underway to reunite Donna with Osh, a 30-year-old male elephant that was her companion at the Oakland Zoo. The construction to connect their habitats is not yet complete, so the elephants’ reunion never came.