the elephants name was ranee
ranee and burma were long time companions to one another. in 1998 the decison was made by the zoo's vet team to operate on a 'vaginal wart' which had devloped between ranee's legs and was causing her both physical discomfort but she had also become the subject of ridicule. besides the welfare considerations, the zoo has a policy of not displaying deformed or sick animals, so the zoo had an obligation to try and fix the growth.
the operation was apparently successful but 3 days later ranee collapsed and was unable to rise.
whilst taronga has a long history with elephants, particularly long-lived ones, there were also several tragic deaths in the past, particularly involving moving the elephants or treating them. thats why i not only like the new facilities but also the hands-on approach, which if its succesful long-term, could result in a higher standard of care for these animals.
moving from asian elephants to africans, we could have actually had quite a significant herd of these animals too, if not for several accidents and premature deaths...
ranee and burma were long time companions to one another. in 1998 the decison was made by the zoo's vet team to operate on a 'vaginal wart' which had devloped between ranee's legs and was causing her both physical discomfort but she had also become the subject of ridicule. besides the welfare considerations, the zoo has a policy of not displaying deformed or sick animals, so the zoo had an obligation to try and fix the growth.
the operation was apparently successful but 3 days later ranee collapsed and was unable to rise.
whilst taronga has a long history with elephants, particularly long-lived ones, there were also several tragic deaths in the past, particularly involving moving the elephants or treating them. thats why i not only like the new facilities but also the hands-on approach, which if its succesful long-term, could result in a higher standard of care for these animals.
moving from asian elephants to africans, we could have actually had quite a significant herd of these animals too, if not for several accidents and premature deaths...