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Performing Animal Welfare Society Says Good-bye to Lulu – Oldest African Elephant in North America

From PAWS Performing Animal Welfare Society
April 2024

Lulu was born in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). She likely was captured when her mother was killed in a government cull, a traumatic event that Lulu would have witnessed. At two years old, an age at which elephant calves are rarely apart from their mothers, she was sold to be a display animal. She lived most of her life at the San Francisco Zoo, and her final 19 years at PAWS, since 2005.

We are sad to announce the passing of African elephant Lulu at the ARK 2000 sanctuary on April 9. The most caring decision was made to perform euthanasia to prevent suffering, as Lulu had endured degenerative joint disease, a leading reason for euthanizing elephants in captivity. She passed from this life surrounded by many who loved and admired her.

At age 58, Lulu was the oldest African elephant in North America. She also established the record for the longest-lived African elephant in North America. She lived most of her life at the San Francisco Zoo, and her final 19 years at PAWS.

Lulu’s age was exceptional for an African elephant in captivity, where the stresses and unnatural conditions of their confinement mean that elephants tend to live much shorter lives than do elephants in the wild.

Wild African elephants can live well into their 60s. However, in captive situations their lives are frequently cut short by captivity-induced ailments such as premature arthritis and foot disease. When Lulu arrived at PAWS, she was already older than the median life expectancy for female African elephants in zoos.

Lulu was born in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). She likely was captured when her mother was killed in a government cull, a traumatic event that Lulu would have witnessed. At two years old, an age at which elephant calves are rarely apart from their mothers, she was sold to be a display animal.

When the San Francisco Zoo decided to no longer exhibit elephants, Lulu came to live at PAWS in 2005. Once there, she had access to wide-open spaces in her large enclosure where she socialized with other elephants and engaged in behaviors natural to an elephant. For the last several years, African elephant Toka had been her close companion.

“We are humbled that the people of San Francisco entrusted Lulu to PAWS for 19 years. We did our very best for her,” stated PAWS Co-founder and President Ed Stewart. “Until her health recently took a turn for the worse, Lulu enjoyed climbing to the tops of hills to graze on fresh green grass.”

Draper added: “No captive facility can truly meet the needs of elephants, and no one can repair the damage caused by a lifetime of confinement. Lulu’s life, and death, serve to remind us how elephants simply do not belong in captivity.”

“Lulu had incredible determination and spirit. We will all miss this truly special and dear elephant” said Stewart. “We thank our loyal supporters for their help which has allowed us to care for Lulu and the other animals at the sanctuary”.

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