26- year old elephant passes suddenly

	Dottie

ATLANTA – October 28, 2008 – Zoo Atlanta is saddened to report the sudden and unexpected loss last night of 26- year old African elephant Dottie.

Like all of Zoo Atlanta’s animals, Dottie’s health and behavior are closely monitored. On October 10, 2008, Zoo Atlanta’s animal management and veterinary team noticed cloudy urine and decreased protein levels in her blood. By October 21, 2008, the animal management team noted a loss in weight of about 800 pounds (or about 10% of her body weight). Zoo Atlanta’s veterinary team began administering antibiotics on October 22, 2008. Despite numerous tests, no definitive diagnosis has been determined. Dottie was in the third trimester of her first pregnancy. As recent as October 24th during a routine ultrasound, Dottie still had a viable pregnancy.

The exact cause of death has not been determined. A necropsy will be performed by Zoo Atlanta’s veterinary team and the Department of Pathology in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia. “We are saddened by the sudden loss of Dottie. I know our veterinary and animal management team worked diligently to ensure she received the best care and treatment possible. This is especially sad for us because Dottie was pregnant with her first calf,” said Dennis Kelly, President and CEO. “We will miss her here at Zoo Atlanta.”

Dottie was one of three African elephants at Zoo Atlanta. She has been at Zoo Atlanta with Tara and Kelly since November 1986. 

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