Zoo officials said she spent her final weeks in an off-exhibit barn and yard within her enclosure by her own choice.
Rest in Peace, Happy the Asian Elephant.
Happy was one of two elephants at the Bronx Zoo. She and the other, Patty, did not get along and they had to be kept apart which isn't good for elephants. They are herd animals. I really wish she had been sent to a sanctuary but it wasn't my call.
For several years, she was too sick and you couldn't see her if you went to the zoo. (I went with my nephew a year or two ago and only Patty was out, looking lonely.)
Important Info:
Happy was 55 years old.
Happy was known to scientists once she passed the "mirror test" that shows self-awareness. She touched an X on her face.
Happy is named "Happy" because there were initially seven elephants calves sold to a "safari" in California. They were named after Disney's Seven Dwarves.
Sleepy died at said "safari". Happy, Grumpy, Sneezy, Doc, Dopey, and Bashful were moved to another "safari" in Florida but when that closed they were split up.
Happy and Grumpy went to the Bronx Zoo where they were kept with Patty and her friend Maxine. Except Maxine attacked and killed Grumpy and the pairs were kept apart thereafter for their own safety. Maxine died in 2018.
Now only Patty remains.
I personally love elephants but I do worry they are not given enough space in some zoos. (The enclosure I last saw Patty in looked quite small to my eye, though I'm not expert. And I should say the Bronx Zoo does give the elephants more space than zoos of the past.)
Patty in her enclosure in 2024


















