Beloved LR Zoo elephant in hospice care

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KAIT) - After years of beating the medical odds, the Little Rock Zoo’s beloved elephant, Sophie, has been placed in hospice care.

“A pyometra infection has caused her progressive decline, and staff are administering comfort care for the end stage of her life,” Monday’s news release stated.

Sophie, who is believed to be 55 or 56 years old, has battled the infection for the last seven years. According to the zoo, most elephants only live a year after diagnosis.

“Zoo staff were able to manage the progression of the disease and provide prolonged care for Sophie for what is considered a medical miracle in elephant veterinary medicine,” the release said. “The disease, which infects the uterus, is non-operable in elephants and is incurable.”

Sophie and her companion, Babe, came to the Little Rock Zoo in 2013 from the Naibi Zoo to join Zina. All three were retired circus elephants.

According to zoo officials, Sophie has outlived most of her counterparts living in accredited zoos.”

Sophie remains in the elephant habitat, free to roam within her enclosure and outside yard.

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