Mondula, Scotland's only African elephant, has died at the age of 54. Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling put the elephant to sleep on Friday due to age-related health complications, marking the end of an era for the park where she had lived since 1998.
The African elephant, known affectionately as Mondy, was born in 1971 and captured from the wild as an orphan before arriving at the Scottish park from Erfurt Zoo in Germany. She initially lived alongside two other female elephants, Estrella and Toto, who died in 2013 and 2016 respectively.
After the deaths of her companions, the park made the decision to house Mondula alone. This individual care approach led to marked improvements in her physical condition and behaviour, according to elephant experts.
Pioneer in geriatric elephant care
Head elephant keeper Suzie Marshall said: «Mondy was so beloved by everyone here and she will be much missed. Her legacy is, however, a very important one. Having spent nearly half her life with us here at Blair Drummond, Mondy has allowed us to develop one of the most comprehensive elephant care plans in the country. And today, it stands as a benchmark for the care of the remaining stock of elephants in captivity.»
The park built a cutting-edge elephant house in 2013 specifically designed for elderly female elephants. Marshall explained: «The facility was specifically designed to cater for elderly female elephants. These individuals, living outside the desired, family herd structure, were likely to face additional behavioural challenges. We understood that addressing the psychological needs of these elephants was just as crucial as caring for their physical ailments.»
Professor Phyllis C Lee, an elephant expert at the University of Stirling, praised the care Mondula received after being housed individually. She said: «Her improvement in all aspects of physical appearance and behaviour was marked, with good and visible muscle development in her forelegs, and her sway-back is now completely gone. I can only commend the large mammal team at Blair Drummond for the work they have put into encouraging her to stretch, move, balance and use her muscles both indoors and out.»
Six full-time keepers cared for Mondula in her final years. Managing director Hector Muir said: «As well as being a hugely beloved character here at the park, Mondy also played an important part in our ongoing work to protect some of the world's most endangered species. During her years with us, she's taught us so much and we're so very proud of what we've achieved together. Her keepers have shown exceptional dedication to her care and it's been a privilege to watch her thrive. And now it's an honour to say a very sad farewell to this special lady».
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
