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 declining 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 lived at the zoo for nearly half a century and was described as a strong ambassador for elephants and conservation. After her death, Patty became the last elephant on exhibit in the United States’ largest city. Happy arrived in 1977 from Asia and was known for engaging behavior with keepers and for research showing mirror self-recognition 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 tumors that are impossible to diagnose in elephants through exams or imaging, the zoo said."
"“She was a wonderful elephant,” interim zoo director Craig Piper said in an interview Wednesday, as heavy-hearted staffers absorbed the loss of an animal some had tended for over 30 years. “She served as a tremendous ambassador for elephants and for elephant conservation.”"
"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."
"Happy keenly engaged with her keepers and was easy to motivate with favorite 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."
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