Updated September 30th, 2019 at 22:28 IST

Indian elephant from Mysore Little Mac euthanized in Santa Barbara Zoo

Indian elephant ‘Little Mac’ was euthanized at Santa Barbara Zoo last week due to chronic illness and old age. The elephant was brought to the US from Mysore.

World News
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The Santa Barbara Zoo authorities have euthanized a 48-year-old Indian elephant last week following its sharp decline in health. Mac came to the USA as part of an exchange program along with another female Asian elephant Sujatha. She was originally born in Mysore, India. She was found orphaned there and was brought to Santa Barbara Zoo when she was 1. Mac passed away just after her companion Sujatha, 47, was euthanized on October 16, 2018, due to problems relating to old age.

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Little Mac's fall in health

The elephant named Little Mac spent most of her life at the zoo was loved by all. Zoo officials said that she was euthanized in her exhibit yard with keepers and staff. Little Mac had been receiving treatment after she had chronic problems with her teeth informed Julie Barnes, the zoo’s vice president of animal care and health to the media. Besides this, she had arthritis in her legs which also triggered various other medical problems, she added. Mac did not show any signs of depression or behavioural change after Sujatha’s death, Barnes added.

If Mac’s health hadn’t declined suddenly, she was likely to get transferred to another zoo or sanctuary where she would have been introduced to other elephants, the doctor explained. Her death also marked the end of the Santa Barbara Zoo’s elephant exchange program. Despite best efforts, Little Mac reached a point where treatments were no longer effective after which the zoo authorities took the decision to keep her in hospice care, they mentioned in a series of tweets.

Last night we said goodbye to our 48-year-old elephant, Little Mac. After announcing she was on hospice care earlier this week, the decision was made to humanely euthanize her yesterday evening. (cont'd below)

VIDEO: https://t.co/hao5SIHhIM
(Photo by Rashun Drayton) pic.twitter.com/djNpmm5BHX
— Santa Barbara Zoo (@SantaBarbaraZoo)

(2/4)As a geriatric elephant, Little Mac had faced age-related issues for years; however her condition sharply declined in the last 2 weeks. The Zoo team worked tirelessly with outside vets/experts to treat her, but Mac's health declined beyond the help of any medical treatments.
— Santa Barbara Zoo (@SantaBarbaraZoo)

(3/4)A behavioral study was conducted to observe Mac's behavior after the passing of her companion, Sujatha. This study provided data that Mac was thriving in her environment, even on her own. Our experts believe her declining health to be directly associated with her old age.
— Santa Barbara Zoo (@SantaBarbaraZoo)

(4/4)Little Mac and Sujatha had been a part of the Santa Barbara community for almost 50 years. They've been important ambassadors for their wild counterparts, providing invaluable education, connection, and joy to every person who met them. They will never be forgotten.
— Santa Barbara Zoo (@SantaBarbaraZoo)

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Netizens criticize the zoo

Netizens have reacted to Mac's death in wide numbers. Most of them are grief-stricken for losing their beloved elephant whom they visited often during their zoo visits. Yet there is a big group which has criticized the zoo's exchange program. They have blamed the zoo for snatching the elephant's natural habitat in India and bringing it to Santa Barbara. Take a look at the reactions.