Zoo officials say aging elephant in declining health

By The Associated Press
Friday, August 31, 2012

DENVER — A 53-year-old elephant who’s been at the Denver Zoo since 1961 is in poor health and is going in what zookeepers are calling “hospice care.”

Zookeepers tell The Denver post that Mimi is at least 53, nearly a decade older than the average life span for elephants in captivity. Mimi has reportedly stopped eating much and appears to suffer from sore joints and tender feet.

Zookeepers say they’re not giving up on Mimi and are hoping for a rebound. But they’re going public about Mimi’s declining health to prepare zoo fans that the end may be near for the elephant who’s been at the zoo more than five decades.