SF Zoo euthanizes sick elephant

Zoo officials say Calle suffered from a degenerative joint disease and a possible relapse of tuberculosis.

"It's been an emotional day,'' Chan said. "The staff did the best they could to care for Calle, but in the end she was too far gone.''

Calle's death comes after an incident on Saturday in which her companion, a 38-year-old female elephant named Tinkerbelle, pushed Calle to the ground, according to zoo representatives. Calle was able to stand up, though not without difficulty, and was coaxed into an indoor enclosure where she received medication and care, officials said.

Zoo representatives believe the bizarre incident, between the two elephants that have been constant companions since 1997, happened because Tinkerbelle could sense stressful conditions. Some animal rights activists, angered by the announcement last week of the zoo's plans to euthanize Calle, were in front of the Asian elephant yard where Calle and Tinkerbelle are kept, according to zoo officials.

"It is our opinion, and the opinion of other elephant experts we consulted, that Tinkerbelle was agitated by the crowd and the sense that something was different ... and could sense that our keeper staff were feeling threatened as well,'' said staff veterinarian Jacqueline Jencek in a statement. "It was clear that Tinkerbelle was not agitated at Calle, but with the situation.''

Chan reported that one animal rights activist had been particularly aggressive with staff after plans to euthanize Calle were announced. The zoo complied with her demands to release Calle's medical records for review by an independent veterinarian. The woman also insisted that Calle be moved to an elephant sanctuary to recover. But zoo officials say such facilities would not take Calle in her weakened state, and it is illegal to transport an animal with tuberculosis across state lines.

Representatives also said it would be cruel to transport Calle due to her crippling health condition.

The 10,000-pound pachyderm suffered joint problems due to a serious injury to her left rear leg in the early 1990s, when she was a performing elephant. The leg was re-injured in September, according to Chan.

Calle was diagnosed with Mycobacterium tuberculosis after her arrival at the San Francisco Zoo in 1997. Her treatment has contributed significantly to understanding and administering protocols for tuberculosis in elephants, Chan said. Zoo officials say a necropsy of Calle's body will help benefit diagnostics and treatments for elephants with tuberculosis.

Staff members say plans will be made to ensure that Tinkerbelle will have another elephant companion, even if it means moving her to another facility.