PHOENIX — The Phoenix Zoo announced Thursday it has euthanized Indu, its last remaining elephant, due to deteriorating health from multiple chronic conditions.
Indu was 59 years old and had lived at the zoo since 1998. She had been the zoo’s only elephant since 2021, following the deaths of longtime companions Reba and Sheena.
“Her gentle spirit, intelligence and resilience inspired not only our staff but also the millions of guests who visited her over the years,” said Bert Castro, president and CEO of the Phoenix Zoo. “Her legacy will live on through the stories we share, the connections she helped people form with wildlife and our continued commitment to the highest standards of animal care.”
Indu had been under regular treatment for chronic osteoarthritis and age-related illnesses. Zoo officials said they made the difficult decision to euthanize her after her condition worsened significantly. She was receiving a comprehensive care regimen including daily medication, hydrotherapy, laser therapy, and physical therapy.
A webpage dedicated to Indu has been published by the zoo, featuring messages from her keepers and a collection of photos and videos from her life.
While the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) notes that the average life expectancy for elephants in AZA-accredited facilities is 48 years, Indu had far surpassed that milestone.
“There is much uncertainty in the world today, but one thing is certain: The elephant Indu lived and thrived under the compassionate care of dedicated and expert professional staff at the Phoenix Zoo,” said AZA President Dan Ashe.
However, not everyone agreed with that assessment. The animal rights group In Defense of Animals (IDA) was vocal in recent years about Indu’s solitary housing situation. In its 2024 list of “Worst Zoos for Elephants,” IDA ranked the Phoenix Zoo at No. 10 and had repeatedly urged zoo officials to relocate Indu to a sanctuary.
The zoo denied allegations of mistreatment and confirmed earlier this year that it had no plans to bring in more elephants. Officials previously stated that Indu’s habitat would eventually be converted to house one-horned rhinoceroses.
