Packy The Elephant, Age 54, Passed Away Today

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Hello /an/. This is my first time posting here, but I wanted to leave a sort of memorial for a cultural icon of my home city (Portland, OR), a legend among zoos and a blessing to the animal kingdom.

Packy the Elephant was born just before 6 AM on April 14th, 1962. An elephant hadn't been born in captivity in the United States of America for the last 44 years, and knowledge on how long an elephant's pregnancy lasted was virtually unknown. His mother, Belle, taught zoologists and scientists that an elephant's pregnancy lasted about 21 months; over the course of his lifespan, Packy would prove this again by siring 7 children of his own, many of whom became the ancestors of captive elephants around the nation and the world.

Packy put Portland on the map with his size, durability, and natural charm, with people of all ages flocking the the Oregon Zoo just to see him mill about and trumpet. His birthday was practically a state holiday, and his family grew exponentially as he aged with grace to the ripe age of 54; one of the oldest elephants ever recorded in captivity, and potentially one of the oldest elephants to ever live on Earth.

Sadly, in 2013, he and his son Rama (who continues to live at the Oregon Zoo) were diagnosed with tuberculosis, and had to be separated and treated away from the rest of the herd. Both individuals seemingly beat away the disease and continued living normally, but while Rama has mercifully remained clean, Packy's symptoms returned in a drug-resistant form. Packy himself did not seem to be troubled by his disease, continuing his life as normal without any slowing-down or weakness, but zookeepers knew that it was only a matter of time for the big guy.

And so today, early in the morning of February 9th 2017, Packy was euthanized and left this world, positively ancient at 54 years old. He will be remembered as a legend and an icon, and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Thank you, /an/, for listening.