One of the Santa Barbara Zoo’s most popular animal ambassadors has been euthanized, after being in hospice care for a number of mostly age related health issues. Little Mac had been a part of the zoo for nearly half a century, arriving to live there from India in 1972. The 48 year old elephant had arthritis, she had lost most of her teeth, and she had gastrointestinal problems which couldn’t be treated.
Her health declined rapidly during the last two weeks. The Asian elephant was euthanized Wednesday night.
She will undergo a necropsy, which is intended to provide information which might help in the treatment of other elephants in human care. Her longtime companion, Sujatha, died last year.
Little Mac’s passing means the end of the zoo’s elephant program. Updated requirements for elephants in zoos require larger exhibit areas, and herds with breeding bull elephants. The zoo doesn’t have ability to meet the regulations. The exhibit area will be redeveloped for other animals.
