Photo: Getty Images
Miami-Dade, FL - An iconic elephant at a South Florida Zoo had to be euthanized following a series of health problems last week.
Staff at Zoo Miami euthanized Asian elephant Dalip on Thursday after the 56-year-old elephant was found lying down in his habitat, unable to get up.
Zoo Miami spokesperson Ron Magill told Local 10 News Dalip "had been losing weight and showing other signs of declining health associated with his advanced age” over the preceding months.
Magill says the staff determined there was little to no chance of recovery.
Magill told Local 10 News "tears flowed as staff that had worked with and known Dalip for many years lined up to say goodbye. To many, he was not only the patriarch of the elephant herd at the zoo, but in fact was recognized as the patriarch of the entire animal population that calls the zoo home.”
Dalip was believed to be the oldest Asian elephant bull in the country.
He was Zoo Miami’s last animal to have lived at the old Crandon Park Zoo on Key Biscayne, the predecessor to Zoo Miami.
Dalip arrived as a year-old calf from India in August of 1967 as a gift from philanthropist Ralph Scott.