ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The St. Louis Zoo is mourning the loss of one of its elephants due to a growing tumor and its deteriorating health in the days leading up to its death.
Donna, a 52-year-old Asian Elephant was euthanized Thursday, the zoo announced.
St. Louis Zoo says Donna was diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism, which is caused by a tumor that secretes a hormone that controls the level of calcium in her body, in October.
The Zoo says surgery was not an option, and she was treated with medical management, but as the tumor grew, medication became less effective.
Eventually, Zoo officials decided euthanasia was the kindest and most humane action left.
"All who knew and loved Donna will miss her greatly," said St. Louis Zoo Vice President of Animal Care Regina Mossotti in a statement. "Our dedicated and expert Animal Care team did everything in their power to make sure Donna was comfortable as they managed her end-of-life care."
Donna was a longtime mainstay at the Zoo, first arriving in 1971 at a young age. She arrived in St. Louis when elephants weren't on the endangered species list.
Donna's caregivers say she was one of the more vocal elephants at the Zoo, who enjoyed making sounds with her trunk on various objects.
