Maggie was once the only one of her kind in Alaska... She was born in Zimbabwe, Africa, in 1982 and captured as a calf, likely as a result of an elephant cull. The Alaska Zoo acquired Maggie in 1983 and she spent the next 24 years there, the last 10 years of that time alone.
The Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) today announced the death of
African elephant Maggie at the ARK 2000 captive wildlife sanctuary in San
Andreas, California. Maggie passed away on Tuesday beneath her favorite
shady oak tree and near preferred mudholes in the sanctuary’s largest
habitat, with PAWS’ staff on hand. Elephant friend Lulu was at her side, and
Toka stood calmly with a caregiver nearby. According to the African Elephant
Studbook, Maggie was 41 years old. Maggie lived with significant arthritis
and dental disease for much of her life.
“Maggie enjoyed California’s sunny skies, the wide-open spaces of her
habitat, and the company of other elephants for nearly 14 years at our
sanctuary. She could often be found napping on a hillside, watched over by
elephants Lulu and Toka,” said PAWS President Ed Stewart. “I am honored to
have cared for Maggie and very proud of the keeper and veterinary care we
provided for her throughout the years.”
Before coming to PAWS in November 2007, Maggie was the only elephant in
Alaska, living at the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage. The first call after Maggie’s
death was to Alaska Zoo Executive Director Pat Lampi, who stated: “We are
all deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Maggie. She touched the
lives of many Alaskans and people all over the world. I take comfort in
knowing that the past 13 years she was in the loving care of our friends at
PAWS and in the company of her close companion Lulu.”
Maggie was born in Zimbabwe, Africa, in 1982 and captured as a calf, likely
as a result of an elephant cull. The Alaska Zoo acquired Maggie in 1983 and
she spent the next 24 years there, the last 10 years of that time alone.
In 2007, the zoo decided to send Maggie to the PAWS sanctuary. Because no
commercial airline option was available to move her, Maggie was flown by the
U.S. Air Force aboard a C-17 Globemaster III from Elmendorf Air Force Base
in Alaska. Emmy Award-winning television game show host and animal advocate
Bob Barker reimbursed the Air Force for the full cost of transport and
funded Maggie’s care for a number of years.
Maggie lived with significant arthritis and dental disease for much of her
life, and although these conditions were greatly helped by excellent care
and the therapeutic setting of the sanctuary, they continued to worsen over
time and contributed to her passing. In free-living elephants, a 41-year-old
female would be in her prime, as African elephants can live to be 65 years
old. In captive situations, elephants’ lives are frequently cut short by
captivity-induced ailments such as premature arthritis and foot disease.
According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the median life
expectancy for female African elephants in captivity is only 38.1 years.
“All of us at PAWS will miss this truly special and dear elephant,” said
Stewart. “She was loved by the other elephants, PAWS' staff, and everyone
who knew her or followed her compelling story, from Alaska to California and
beyond.”
As is customary for all elephants who pass away at PAWS, a necropsy has been
performed on Maggie’s remains by pathologists at U.C. Davis Veterinary
Medical Teaching Hospital.
PAWS continues to care for seven elephants, including Lulu, who is the
oldest African elephant in the United States. The sanctuary also rescues and
cares for bears and big cats.
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