African elephant dies at Disney's Animal Kingdom

[OogieBoogie]

The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that one of Animal Kingdom resident African Elephants passed away on Tuesday due to disease. The elephant (named Tumpe) was 24 and had been a resident of AK since 2007.

At this time the disease which she had is unknown and while experts are saying this might be an insolated incident, you can bet that others are nervously watching the rest of the herd to see if they too will come down with this mystery illness.

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African elephant dies at Disney's Animal Kingdom

posted by Dewayne Bevil on Mar 17, 2009 5:37:51 PM

A 24-year-old African elephant died today at Disney's Animal Kingdom after a brief, isolated illness, Walt Disney World officials say.

Tumpe, a female who moved to Animal Kingdom in 2007, had been suffering from skin sores and gastrointestinal problems for two months. The staff provided medical care including blood tests, ultrasound, bacterial and viral testing, electrocardiography and laparoscopic surgery, the company says.

A complete pathology report is expected within a few weeks, but Disney experts think it is an isolated incident that has not affected the rest of the herd at the park.

[1313Imagination]

I hope it's not contagious towards humans. Yikes! Poor elephant though...

[sir clinksalot]

I'm sure Human's aren't at risk. So sad for the elephant. Hope it doesn't effect any of the other members of the herd.

[PretzelSouls]

That's too bad, poor elephant. Hopefully it doesn't effect the other elephants.

[Pizzapants]

and cue the activists!

[Mouse princess]

Poor elephant. I hope the rest are not infected.

[Stitchy]

poor thing! I hope none of the others get it. And I hope they can figure out what it was and how it got it.

[seenoevil]

We saw her in December during the behind the scenes tour and were able to be closer to her and spend more time with her than the elephants on the safari. How sad!