PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release | August 25, 2014
Media contact: Laura Lockard, Caileigh Robertson
206.548.2550 | [email protected]
Woodland Park Zoo asks community to remember African elephant Watoto
SEATTLE – Woodland Park Zoo held a press conference Friday, August 22 to discuss the
details of African elephant Watoto’s unexpected death. The zoo regretfully announced the 45year-old elephant was humanely euthanized late Friday morning. With an outpouring of
support, Woodland Park Zoo encourages the community to remember Watoto by taking
action to save her species, which is imperiled in the wild.
“This is a very difficult time for our zoo family as we mourn the loss of Watoto, a beloved
animal and dear friend to our staff and volunteers, members and community,” said Bruce
Bohmke, Woodland Park Zoo’s Chief Operations Officer. “Watoto has lived a long, healthful
life at Woodland Park Zoo under the care of dedicated keepers and staff. We will all miss her
greatly.”
Zookeepers arrived early Friday morning and saw Watoto lying down in the elephant yard
and unable to move to an upright position, which was unusual for her. Elephant keepers and
animal health staff first attempted lifting Watoto to her feet with the support of cloth straps and
later with careful assistance of heavy machinery. Lying down for long periods of time is
dangerous for large bodied animals because their massive weight can negatively impact their
lungs or other organs and inevitably lead to death. Although keepers were successful in
righting Watoto, she would not stay up on her own. Woodland Park Zoo’s animal health staff
was present to assess Watoto’s well-being and provide emergency care, though it was
apparent her health was quickly declining and she would become more unstable as hours
passed. With compassion and sadness, keepers and animal health staff made the difficult
decision to humanely euthanize her.
“Watoto’s behavior and appetite were normal in the days leading up to her death, and we
believe her elderly age at 45 years old contributed to her passing,” stated Bohmke. “Final
histology and pathology results from the necropsy will provide a better understanding of the
cause of her death and the findings will be released in the coming weeks.”
Over the years, Watoto contributed to research out of the University of Washington, including
groundbreaking studies on DNA analysis that is helping preserve African elephants in the
wild and combating ivory poaching on the ground. Woodland Park Zoo is committed to
helping save African elephants in their range countries through a partnership with the
Tarangire Elephant Project, and recently assisted in putting 33 anti-poaching game scouts on
the ground to patrol the east Africa area.
“The outpouring of support from our community has been overwhelming, and we are very
grateful. At this time, we’re encouraging visitors and community members to help us honor
Watoto by making a commitment to help save African elephants in the wild,” said Bohmke.
Watoto was born in Kenya between 1969 and 1970, and joined Woodland Park Zoo’s
elephant herd in 1971 as an orphan from the wild. The geriatric elephant lived at the zoo for
44 years and made a heartfelt impact on zoo visitors, staff and keepers, some of whom had
the pleasure of caring for Watoto for more than three decades. Watoto was the only African
elephant at Woodland Park Zoo, distinguishable by her large ears, saddle–shaped back and
visible tusk.
In lieu of flowers, please help Woodland Park Zoo honor Watoto’s memory by signing the 96
Elephants pledge at zoo.org/96elephants to end the ivory trade and help save African
elephants from extinction.
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