Happy, an Asian elephant at the Bronx Zoo, was euthanized at age 55 after signs of kidney or liver failure appeared and age-related conditions worsened in recent weeks. The zoo reported that a necropsy later showed arthritis and a large undetected tumor that would have been inoperable. Happy was born in the wild in Asia and came to the United States, arriving at the New York zoo in 1977 with another elephant named Grumpy. Happy was described as highly responsive to simple rewards such as watermelon and strawberries. Her herd history included multiple deaths and concerns about social compatibility. Happy passed a self-awareness test in 2005 by touching a white X on her forehead after recognizing her reflection in a mirror.
"The Bronx Zoo said Wednesday the Asian elephant was put to sleep Tuesday after she showed signs of kidney or liver failure after some age-related conditions worsened in recent weeks. Later, a necropsy test showed arthritis and a large undetected tumor that would have been inoperable."
"Happy was born in the wild in Asia. She was brought to the United States and named after one of the dwarfs from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." She was brought to the New York zoo in 1977 with another elephant named after fellow dwarf, Grumpy."
"Keith Lovett, the zoo's director of animal programs, said Happy was among the most responsive elephants in their care, motivated by simple rewards like watermelon and strawberries. The herd's history has been marked with some instability within the group."
"In 2005, Happy passed a self-awareness test by repeatedly touching a white "X" on her forehead after recognizing her reflection in a mirror. The study found evidence that elephants can reco"
Read at FOX 5 New York
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]