Overview
- The zoo said Lois was euthanized Tuesday after she stopped responding to treatments and her quality of life declined.
- Care teams had managed degenerative joint disease and a ruptured hind-leg ligament for 15 years with specialized therapies that extended her life.
- Born in 1978, Lois arrived at the Kansas City Zoo on Sept. 17, 1982, alongside Lea, who remains at the facility.
- The current herd includes Lea, Megan and Tattoo at 47, Zoe at 40, Christy at 38, Tamani at 20 and Zuri at 15, with four elephants considered geriatric.
- The zoo described Lois as an ambassador whose presence helped inspire conservation programs in Zambia and South Africa.