Elephant Tembo Dies After 50 Years at Topeka Zoo

The Passing of a Beloved Elephant

On May 16, the Topeka Zoo shared the sad news that its last remaining elephant, a female African pachyderm named Tembo, had passed away after spending 50 years at the zoo. At 56 years old, Tembo was one of the oldest African elephants in human care in the United States, living well beyond the average lifespan for her species.

Cynthia McCarvel, the zoo's chief advancement officer, stated in a news release that Tembo was humanely euthanized due to a "recent and more rapid decline in her health." She emphasized that the decision was made out of love and respect for Tembo’s well-being. "She passed peacefully, surrounded by her devoted zoo family, the people who knew her best and loved her most," McCarvel said.

Tembo was known for her intelligence and personality, which made her a beloved figure among zoo visitors and staff alike. Her fellow occupants of the zoo's elephant exhibit for 42 years included Sunda, a female Asian elephant who died in 2018 at age 58. Sunda held the record for having lived at the Topeka Zoo the longest, at 52 years.

A Smart and Social Animal

Elephants are widely recognized as some of the most intelligent animals on the planet, and Tembo was no exception. In 2023, Wrylie Guffey, now the zoo's animal care director, shared an anecdote about how Tembo and Sunda once worked together to reach a tree that was hanging over their habitat.

"Tembo put her front legs up on Sunda's back so she could reach that tree and pull it down, so they could both eat it," Guffey recalled. This behavior showcased not only Tembo's cleverness but also the strong bond between the two elephants.

Tembo had been the last remaining elephant at the zoo since the death of Cora, a 67-year-old Asian elephant, in October of the previous year. Cora had lived at the zoo since March 1976, making her a long-standing presence at the facility.

A Legacy of Care and Conservation

Tembo's time at the Topeka Zoo was marked by her role as an ambassador for elephant conservation and education. She helped connect visitors with the challenges that elephants face in the wild, such as habitat loss and poaching. Over the years, she became a familiar and cherished presence for generations of zoo guests, staff, and volunteers.

Fawn Moser, the zoo's chief operating officer, described Tembo as more than just an animal in their care. "She was family to so many people who worked with and loved her throughout the years," Moser said in the news release. "This was an incredibly difficult decision, but also the most compassionate one we could make for her."

A Community Favorite

Fred Patton, the zoo's board president, expressed his deep affection for Tembo on Facebook. "Tembo was my all-time favorite animal at the zoo," he wrote. "Full of mischief, a little attitude, and one of the sweetest animals I have ever had the chance to interact with."

Patton noted that Tembo's passing marked "the end of an era" for the zoo. "Over generations, the zoo has changed, but Tembo was always there," he wrote. "Her passing is not only the end of the Topeka Zoo's elephant program, but also the closing of a proud legacy that Gary (the late former Topeka Zoo director Gary Clarke) began decades ago."

Clarke, who led the zoo from 1963 to 1989, played a significant role in its growth. He passed away in 2019 at the age of 79.

Controversy and Care

In 2009, a national group called In Defense of Animals urged the city to retire Sunda and Tembo to an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee. However, the Topeka City Council rejected this request in 2010 and again in 2012. Despite the controversy, the zoo became a model for caring for aging elephants.

In 2015, the zoo announced that Sunda and Tembo had lost weight and experienced improvements in their foot problems and aggression. They were later joined by two other elephants, Cora and Shannon. Shannon passed away in December 2017.

A New Chapter

While the zoo has lost its last elephant, it still houses Asante, the oldest living lioness in a zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Asante turned 22 last month.

Tembo's life was a testament to the dedication and care provided by the Topeka Zoo team. Her memory will continue to live on through the stories and memories shared by those who knew her.