On September 25, Santa Barbara's last Asian Elephant, Little Mac, was euthanized at 48 years old, surrounded by her zoo keepers and caretakers saying their final farewells. Little Mac was put down due to a sharp decline in her own health, with multiple medical problems affecting her health, behavior and overall well being. Though the zoo attempted to aid Little Mac back to her healthy self, at 48 years old, it seemed as though it was simply her time to go. So after struggling with her health for several days, the zoo decided to euthanize her. Numerous care takers of Little Mac surrounded their beloved elephant, more than likely with teary eyes to say goodbye to the animal they had helped raise throughout the years. With their last elephant gone, the Santa Barbara Zoo with be permanently closing their elephant exhibit.
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Do you think the Zoo did the Humane thing Euthanizing Little Mac? What are your thoughts on euthanizing animals?
I do think that the zoo did the right thing by letting their elephant go. She was clearly old and unwell, and I feel like it would have been selfish to try and keep her living just to have their customers watch and stare at her declining health. I think that euthanizing a living thing no matter what it is is difficult. Whether it be a dog, cat, parrot, or even elephant. But even though it is difficult doesn't make it the wrong thing to do. If the animal is suffering and it already has one foot in the grave, than I believe the humane thing to do is to put the animal down if it has no chance of recovering.
Do you think that Little Mac being held in captivity assisted in the declining of her health?
I think that this could always be a factor. especially with the fact that Little Mac was the last elephant at the zoo. Elephants are very emotional and social animals so I wonder how emotionally healthy this animal was. However, most zoos treat their animals very well, and there are plenty of laws assuring this. In fact, the life expectancy of an Asian Elephant is roughly 41 years. With Little Mac passing at the age of 48, does this mean that perhaps she was even better taken care of in captivity than she would be in the wild?
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