Bronx Zoo's Happy, who showed that elephants can recognize themselves, is euthanized at 55

Happy, an Asian elephant at the Bronx Zoo, was euthanized at age 55 after conditions related to aging accelerated in recent weeks. She showed signs of reduced kidney or liver function. A necropsy found arthritis and large, inoperable uterine tumors that cannot be diagnosed in elephants through routine exams or imaging. Happy had lived at the zoo for nearly half a century and was described as a strong ambassador for elephants and conservation. After her death, Patty remained the last elephant on exhibit in the United States’ largest city. Happy was born in Asia, brought to the U.S. as a one-year-old, and arrived at the zoo in 1977. She helped researchers demonstrate elephant self-recognition in mirrors in 2005.

"The Asian elephant was put to sleep Tuesday at the zoo where she lived for almost a half-century. Zoo officials said some age-related conditions accelerated in recent weeks, and she showed signs of a falloff in kidney or liver function. A necropsy revealed arthritis and large, inoperable uterine tumours that are impossible to diagnose in elephants through exams or imaging, the zoo said."

"Since Happy's death, the zoo's 57-year-old Patty is the last elephant on exhibit in the United States' largest city. The zoo's parent institution, the Wildlife Conservation Society, decided 20 years ago to stop acquiring pachyderms. Born in the wild in Asia, Happy was brought to the U.S. as a 1-year-old. She was named for a character from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" before arriving at the zoo in 1977."

"Happy keenly engaged with her keepers and was easy to motivate with favourite treats, such as watermelon or strawberries, said Keith Lovett, the zoo's director of animal programs. Piper said she sometimes stashed treats in her ear to save for later. In 2005, she showed researchers that elephants can recognize themselves in a mirror - a sign of self-awareness seen in only a few other species."

"During the experiment, Happy faced her reflection and repeatedly used her trunk to touch an "X" painted above her eye, a mark she could see only in the mirror. She was paired with other elephants until her last partner died in 2006. Happy then lived separately from Patty and a third"

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