Second Elephant Dies at L.A. Zoo in a Year

53-year-old Asian elephant Shaunzi euthanized after being found unable to stand, days before planned vigil for elephants who have died in captivity.

Shaunzi, a 53-year-old female Asian elephant at the Los Angeles Zoo, was euthanized after she was found unable to stand up.
This is the second elephant death at the L.A. Zoo in a year, following the euthanization of Jewel, a 61-year-old female, in January 2023.
Shaunzi's death comes just days before a vigil by animal activists to mourn elephants who have died in captivity.
Shaunzi was born in Thailand and spent her early years in a circus before being transferred to the L.A. Zoo in 2017.
The L.A. Zoo now has two Asian elephants remaining: Tina, 58, and Billy, a 39-year-old male.