Happy the elephant dies aged 55 after being euthanized at New York zoo
Summary
Happy, an Asian elephant at New York’s Bronx Zoo, was euthanized at age 55 due to age-related health issues. She was well known for a legal case trying to grant her personhood rights and for scientific research showing elephants can recognize themselves in mirrors.Key Facts
- Happy lived at the Bronx Zoo since 1977 and was euthanized peacefully in 2023 due to health problems.
- The zoo cared for Happy for over 30 years, with staff present at her passing.
- Happy became the center of a legal case starting in 2018, where animal rights activists sought to recognize her as a person to free her.
- New York’s highest court ultimately denied the legal claim, but two judges strongly disagreed in their opinions.
- The case was the first involving an elephant’s claim to legal personhood.
- Happy was part of a 2005 study proving elephants can recognize themselves in mirrors, a sign of self-awareness.
- She leaves behind a companion, Patty, who is 57 years old.
- The Wildlife Conservation Society stopped keeping elephants in New York zoos 20 years ago, so Patty is likely the last elephant in the city.
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