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”.
Chester Zoo has announced the devastating death of one of its beloved female elephants / Credit: Chester Zoo
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.
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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.
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Sundara passed away following a “tragic turn of events” / Credit: Chester Zoo
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.”
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
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Police appeal launched as man, 51, dies MONTHS after M60 crash
Daisy Jackson
A man in his 50s has tragically died several months after a collision on the M60, with a renewed police appeal launched this week.
At the time of the crash in July, none of the injuries sustained were believed to be life-changing or threatening.
But sadly, a 51-year-old man who was the driver of one of the vehicles involved has passed away recently.
Officers from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) are now appealing for information about the M60 crash.
The road traffic collision took place at 9.13pm on Wednesday 1 July, between two vehicles between junction 16 and 17 of the M60, in Bury.
Emergency services at the time reported that none of the injuries were life-changing or life-threatening.
All the vehicle occupants have been identified, and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances into the man’s death.
Police have said that his death cannot be definitively linked to the collision at this stage and work is ongoing to determine the exact cause and nature.
Anyone with information or dashcam footage of the collision is urged to contact police via 101 or gmp.police.uk, quoting log 3829 of 1 July 2026. Reports can also be made via the Live Chat function at gmp.police.uk.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
No trams to run on THREE major Greater Manchester lines for two weeks this month
Emily Sergeant
Widespread disruption is expected, as no trams will be running on three major Greater Manchester lines for two full weeks.
As the next phase of the ongoing £150m investment into Greater Manchester’s tram network gets under way later this month, it has been announced that essential improvement work is set to be be carried out on three major Metrolink lines across the region in a bid to make the network ‘safer’ and ‘more resilient and reliable’ for years to come.
From Monday 19 October to Sunday 1 November, tram improvement works will take place at Deansgate-Castlefield, and Trafford Bar.
Additional works will also take place in the city centre during this time, allowing Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to keep closures of the tram network to a minimum.
During the dates above, no trams will run on the Altrincham, Trafford Centre, and Eccles lines.
No trams will be running on three major Greater Manchester line for two weeks this month / Credit: TfGM
A number of shuttle bus services will the running over the course of the two-week closure – with services arriving every 10 or 15 minutes, depending which line it’s on, and you can find a full list of these here.
Services operating on the East Didsbury and Manchester Airport lines will terminate at Firswood, and from Firswood, passengers will then need to board a replacement bus service to continue their journey into the city centre.
Services operating on the Rochdale line will terminate at Exchange Square, it has also been announced.
Services will resume on these lines from start of service on Monday 2 November.
However there will be some minor route changes through the city centre in place from Monday 2 to Wednesday 4 November, so it’s important to check your journey before you travel.
Emily Sergeant -
24th July 2024 
