‘Profoundly Missed:’ Phoenix Zoo announces death of beloved Asian elephant
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The Phoenix Zoo is mourning the loss of a beloved animal who captured the hearts of zookeepers and guests alike.
Indu, a 59-year-old Asian elephant, passed away on Thursday morning, zoo officials announced, surrounded by her dedicated care team. The zoo said veterinarians and keepers saw Indu’s health regress and “made the very difficult decision to humanely euthanize her.”
“Indu was a truly remarkable elephant who touched the hearts of everyone who had the privilege to know her,” Bert Castro, President and CEO of the Phoenix Zoo, said in a statement. “Her gentle spirit, intelligence and resilience inspired not only our staff but also the millions of guests who visited her over the years. Her legacy will live on through the stories we share, the connections she helped people form with wildlife and our continued commitment to the highest standards of animal care. She will be profoundly missed.”
Recently, Indu was undergoing treatment for chronic osteoarthritis and age-related illness. She had been receiving daily medications and treatments, including hydrotherapy, laser and physical therapy. However, staff say it became more challenging to manage her discomfort, and her mobility continued to decline.
The beloved animal was considered an elderly elephant, as the average life expectancy for her species is 48. She had been alone in her enclosure since Sheena, the zoo’s 50-year-old elephant, died in November 2021. Reba, another elephant who was also housed with Indu and Sheena, passed away in April 2020.
Indu first arrived in the Valley of the Sun in 1998. Her story raised awareness about the dangers that her endangered species face, such as habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.
The Phoenix Zoo plans to honor her memory by supporting conservation efforts targeting Asian elephants.
“Indu – you will forever remain in our hearts, and your legacy will continue to inspire compassion and action for the natural world,” zoo staff said.
Earlier this year, officials disputed a report that claimed the Phoenix Zoo was among the nation’s worst zoo’s for elephants.
The Phoenix Zoo previously told Arizona’s Family that the current elephant exhibit would end once Indu dies and be converted into an exhibit for only one-horned rhinoceros, which shares the space with Indu.
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