Tonka the elephant euthanized at Zoo Knoxville after declining health

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ( WATE ) — On Thursday, Zoo Knoxville announced that Tonka, the largest male elephant in North America and the zoo’s last remaining elephant, had been humanely euthanized.

Tonka was euthanized on Wednesday, May 8 after he had been placed on hospice care earlier in the week ; the zoo also said it was done after it was determined that there “were no further options to treat acute pain and swelling in his left front leg.”

When the condition of his leg began to deteriorate and his pain was no longer being effectively managed with medication, his quality of life reached a turning point. He was compassionately euthanized Wednesday morning. His caregivers that knew and loved him were by his side to ensure he went peacefully and comfortably.

Zoo Knoxville

The bull elephant was 46 years old and weighed 15,000 pounds. The zoo shared that Tonka had the distinction of being one of the largest and oldest African elephants in North America.

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“We are heartbroken and grieving,” Drew Rowan, interim president and CEO, said. “Tonka was beloved by our staff and our community and we are grateful for the compassion they have shown us. We were very committed to making sure Tonka left this world with all the dignity and love we could surround him with, and I hope that offers some comfort to everyone he touched.”

Tonka had been at Zoo Knoxville for 43 years.

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