News
Chester Zoo ‘deeply shocked and saddened’ by death of beloved elephant Sundara
Sundara passed away following a "tragic turn of events".
Emily Sergeant -
24th July 2024 
Chester Zoo has announced the devastating death of one of its beloved female elephants after a “tragic turn of events”.
The UK’s biggest charity zoo has paid a heartbreaking tribute to its legendary resident.
Sundara Hi Way, who is one of Chester Zoo‘s adult female Asian elephants, suddenly fell ill inside the zoo’s ‘Elephants of the Asian Forest’ habitat last Friday (19 July 2024), and although both the animal care and veterinary teams rushed to help, and did everything they could to try and treat her, this unfortunately wasn’t enough.
A short while later, the hugely well-loved resident – who was born at the zoo in 2004 – very sadly passed away after her condition “deteriorated rapidly”.
In a bid to help understand the exact cause of the unexpected loss of Sundara, Chester Zoo has since undertaken an examination – which went on to reveal that she had twisted intestines.
Animal experts at the Cheshire-based zoo say this complication can occur in a wide range of mammals, and it is known to onset “very quickly”.
It’s almost “impossible” to diagnose or treat in elephants, Chester Zoo sadly revealed.
Paying tribute to Sundara and the brilliant legacy she has left behind, Chester Zoo’s CEO Jamie Christon wrote: “We are all so deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic turn of events.
“Our thoughts are, of course, with our wonderful elephant conservationists who have cared for Sundara since she was born here in 2004.
“In that time, she had given birth to a number of calves, including female elephants Indali and Riva, who are at the zoo today, and played a vital role in the conservation breeding programme for this endangered species.”
Read more:
- Chester Zoo’s ‘after hours’ evenings are returning and tickets are 50% cheaper than they are during the day
- Plans approved for new safari lodges at Chester Zoo where visitors wake up next to giraffes
- Chester Zoo named best zoo in the UK thanks to more than 11,000 ‘excellent’ ratings
Mr Christon also assured the public that the zoo’s other Asian elephant residents, Riva, Indali, Anjan, and Maya “remain in good health” and expert teams will be monitoring them all extra closely in the coming days and weeks as the herd adjusts to this sudden change.
R.I.P Sundara.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
