Paignton Zoo elephant dies
PAIGNTON Zoo's elephant Gay has been put down.
The zoo announced the news on Tuesday morning.
The elephant, said to be 40 years old, developed abscesses on her front feet in July 2008.
Despite extensive in-house treatment supported by a range of veterinary and elephant experts, it was concluded that there was nothing more that could be done for her.
In a statement the zoo said: "Her welfare was reduced and her quality of life deteriorating. The abscesses spread to all four feet. Gay also had arthritis."
She was put down by the zoo's vet team early on Tuesday morning.
Full story in Wednesday's Herald Express
15 Comments
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by Gerry King, Wellswood
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 2:01PM
“Biffo you are not even man or woman enough to post under your own name. Don't try that righteous indignation on with me.”
by Neil, The Philippines
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 4:48AM
“For Gerry of Wellswoods information,both Gay & Duchess are NOT kept in cages,but were roaming freely in their own paddock.R.I.P GAY”
by Biffo, Paignton Zoo
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 12:53AM
“You sad nobody Gerry King, no one will mourn you mate”
by Gerry, Wellswood
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 11:24PM
“Biffo why don't you marry Rose you are made for each other.”
by Neil Slade, The Philippines
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 9:54PM
“I used to remember going to Zoo with my Hayes Road Primary School who adopted Gay ( many,many,many years ago).I do NOT agree with both Stephen & Gerrys remarks but they are entitled to their own opinions.Both Gay & Duchess were NOT kept in a cage and were both roaming very freely.Paignton Zoo is a very good zoo ( 3rd in England).My condolences are with the zoo staff.She WILL be missied.R.I.P.GAY XXX.Everybody loved her.”
by Biffo, Paignton Zoo
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 9:50PM
“It is a very sad day at the Zoo,. and those of you who are so witty...Gerry, Wellswood, or should that be Gerryatric, and Mrs Dixon's Husband, Paignton get a life.
Gerry go to Thailand, India or Africa and see how these animals are tortured and killed for the ivory and other parts or just for the sake of killing to satisfy mans desires.
Anon Local, the only good news if the baby giraffe is alive and kicking.
RIP Gay.”
by Rose, Torquay
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 4:28PM
“Gerry in Wellswood,
I accept that we are all entitled to our own opinions, but were you too busy being obnoxious not to know the difference between captivity and capacity?”
by Gerry, Wellswood
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 2:57PM
“I do not agree with Zoo's and I realize that some people will never have the opportunity to see certain species if it wasn't for Zoo's. Surely it isn't the end of the world if some things are just left alone, why do we need to see and contain/control everything. Oh and before the born in capacity brigade start....ZIP IT!
I am saddened to read that Gay the elephant has died. A magnificent animal whose ancestors roamed through fabled exotic lands dying in Paignton - Gods waiting room for the well pensioned dull. Gay deserved better than that.
RIP Gay x”
by anon, local
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 2:56PM
“Where is the compassion here??
Gay was not in a cage as suggested, she had a good life in a good sized paddock and was free from the dangers of poaching etc.
She was loved by everyone who visited her for 20 years and will be missed by everyone. My heart goes out to Jim, her keeper for as long as she was at the zoo.
Are Julian and Debbie the only ones here (apart from me) who know what it is like to love and lose an animal??
I know that everyone at the zoo is in mourning today.”
by Julian, toquay
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 2:49PM
“No, it is as it is - a view that, I feel, is shared by most of the residents in Torbay.”