NEW ORLEANS — Audubon Zoo officials announced the passing of a 55-year-old Asian female elephant Thursday.
The elephant, Panya, was euthanized after a decline in her health due to kidney disease. She had been at the zoo for 39 years and was beloved by zoo staff and volunteers.
“Panya was an amazing animal—brilliant and incredibly strong-spirited. We all loved her, and we will miss her deeply,” says Audubon Zoo Curator of Large Mammals Joe Forys, who worked with Panya for more than 19 years.
Zoo officials say Panya served as an ambassador for her endangered species. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the population of Asian elephants is estimated to have declined by 50 percent or more.
The zoo’s exhibit still features three other elephants: 46-ear-old Jean, 36-year-old Surapa and 37-year-old Jothi, who both came to the zoo in November 2018 from the Buffalo Zoo.
