KomotoTV.Com (Seattle, Washington)
June 8, 2007
By: Associated Press

Original Article

Woodland Park Zoo photo of Hansa

SEATTLE (AP) - Hansa, a 6-year-old Asian elephant who had delighted Woodland Park Zoo visitors since her birth, was found dead Friday of unexplained causes about a week after she began showing symptoms of abdominal pain, zoo officials said.

Staff members had begun monitoring her closely and administered fluids and antibiotics after noting a decrease in appetite and activity May 31. Tests came back inconclusive and she appeared to stabilize earlier this week. The elephant exhibit curator, Bruce Upchurch, found Hansa dead in her stall at about 7:40 a.m. Hansa's mother Chai was with her.

Zoo officials were conducting a necropsy late Friday and said they could have preliminary results in the next few days.

Zoo staffers were shocked by the death.

"She was a little princess, and she had a big old Buddha belly," Dr. Kelly Helmick, the zoo's director of animal health, said as she teared up during a news conference. "She was just beginning to mature and drop her baby weight, and we were talking about her future as a mother."

Hansa, whose name means "supreme happiness" in Thai, was the first elephant born at the century-old Woodland Park Zoo. Administrators had sent her mother to the Dickerson Park Zoo in Missouri where natural breeding resulted in a pregnancy. Chai was artificially inseminated in March and zoo officials said they would be able to see if she is pregnant beginning in July.

The zoo's remaining herd consists of three female elephants: Chai, 28; Bamboo, a 40-year-old Asian elephant; and Watoto, a 38-year-old African elephant.

Chai spent Friday morning with Hansa's body and Bamboo and Watoto were also seen nearby, Deputy Zoo Director Bruce Bohmke said. Zoo officials removed the body for the necropsy after the elephants left it and returned to their regular routine. The elephant exhibit area was closed to visitors Friday.

Asian elephants, which are endangered, typically live about 45 years, according to the zoo's Web site. Animal rights groups said Hansa's death is further evidence that the zoo is too small for elephants. Members of the Northwest Animal Rights Network have urged zoo officials to give the elephants to preserves like the 2,700-acre Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tenn.

In Anchorage, the Alaska Zoo board voted June 5 to relocate Alaska's only elephant to a warmer climate, though several stipulations must be met before it will happen, including getting independent veterinarians' approval to ensure that the elephant, Maggie, is healthy enough to move.

Maggie's health has been a concern after she lay down on her side twice last month and couldn't get up on her own. The Anchorage Fire Department was called both times to lift her to her feet. Vets believe Maggie might have had an intestinal disturbance, prompted by a change in her hay.

Elephants in their natural environment walk 30 to 50 miles per day and Woodland Park's Elephant Forest is about an acre, said Mark French, Northwest Animal Rights Network treasurer. He said other zoos, like the Detroit Zoo, have given up their elephant exhibits after determining they did not have enough space.

"The only good thing that could come from this would be for the City Council and the Woodland Park Zoo to come to the realization that the zoo just does not have the space to take care of these animals," French said.

Gigi Allianic, a zoo spokeswoman, said the zoo will continue to raise elephants. Dr. Deborah Jensen, the zoo's president and chief executive, said Hansa received only the best care.

"We will all miss her," Jensen said. "We are a family here and we will provide as much support and comfort as possible during this difficult time."

Some visitors, like Alison Pearson, 9 of Minnesota, came to the zoo especially to see Hansa and the other elephants. She said she was sad she couldn't see the exhibit.

"They're one of my favorite animals," the little girl said.

Pearson's god-mother, Kani Adamson, 43 of Seattle, said the last time she was at the zoo was when Hansa was born in November 2000.

"It really puts a damper on our day," Adamson said.

Hansa's body will be cremated. Memorial plans are pending.