Carina, a 54-year-old Asian elephant at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, has died after her health rapidly declined, the Tampa park announced July 3.
The park said its veterinary staff and caretakers made the decision to humanely euthanize Carina, with the people who cared for her gathered around her.
Carina lived well beyond the 45-year average life expectancy for Asian elephants, according to Busch Gardens. The park described her as geriatric and said her death was sudden.
Carina at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Carina lived in Nairobi, where Busch Gardens guests can see the park's resident Asian elephant herd. Busch Gardens identifies Asian elephants as endangered on its official elephant habitat page.
The park remembered specific habits from her daily care. Carina stuck out her tongue to drink from the waterfall, tapped sticks against rocks and logs, sometimes used those sticks as back scratchers, and piled browse, hay, or sod on her head and back.
She was also easy to spot because of a wide pink spot on her forehead.
The Remaining Elephant Herd
Busch Gardens said its animal-care team continues to care for Tina, Simba, and Karnaudi, Carina's adult daughter.
Sources: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on Facebook, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on Instagram, and the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay elephant habitat page.
Image credit: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.