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Barcelona Zoo’s Oldest Elephant, Susi, Dies at 55

The zoo closed for a day of mourning, initiating UAB-led pathology steps with results to be shared with EAZA.

Overview

  • Officials said Susi died of natural causes related to advanced age.
  • Veterinarians estimated she exceeded 55 years, far above the 39-year captive average for African elephants.
  • Susi arrived in 2002 after time in a circus and at Safari Park Vergel, a history that later fueled the 'Liberad a Susi' animal-rights campaign.
  • Barcelona Zoo has developed geriatric elephant care with AWEC and UAB, a program cited as a reference by other European institutions.
  • Her death leaves only Bully in the enclosure, roughly a year after Yoyo’s passing, as the zoo pursues a 2030 transformation plan focused on biodiversity conservation.