Memories of an elephant

I had a Kashin money bank when I was a kid, and she was at the zoo every time we went to visit (which was probably not as often as we should have, since it was a few minutes' walk away from my parents' house).  RIP, Kashin.  I hope they find Burma some new friends soon.

Zoo closed as staff grieve for Kashin

Auckland Zoo's senior elephant keeper, Andrew Coers, with Kashin. The 40-year-old elephant passed away this afternoon. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Auckland Zoo will be closed tomorrow as staff grieve the loss of 40-year-old elephant, Kashin, who died today.

The female elephant, who has been at the zoo for 36 years, was euthanased after losing her battle with chronic health conditions.

"Zoo staff are devastated, grieving the loss of their incredibly spirited and gentle matriarch," zoo chairman Graeme Mulholland said.

"Kashin touched the lives, not just of the zoo family, but thousands of New Zealanders and international visitors who came to know and love her... she will be greatly missed by all."

He said the decision to put the elephant down followed years of chronic arthritis and foot abscesses.

Source: NZ Herald News