Chester Zoo staff 'deeply shocked and saddened' at heartbreaken sudden death

Staff at Chester Zoo have been left heartbroken following the sudden death of an elephant. Sundara Hi Way, one of the popular zoo's adult female Asian elephants, died after falling ill at the Elephants of the Asian Forest habitat last Friday (July 19).

She had been born at the zoo 20 years ago. Jamie Christon, Chester Zoo's chief executive, says the team has been left 'deeply shocked and saddened' following the tragedy.

Animal care and veterinary teams had rushed to Sundara's aid. But despite their best efforts, her condition rapidly deteriorated, the Liverpool Echo reports.

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An examination found that Sundara died after suffering from twisted intestines, which Chester Zoo says is a complication that can occur in a range of mammals. It can occur quickly - and is almost impossible to diagnose or treat in elephants.

Mr Christon said: "We are all so deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic turn of events. Our thoughts are, of course, with our wonderful elephant conservationists who have cared for Sundara since she was born here in 2004."

He added: "In that time, she had given birth to a number of calves including female elephants Indali and Riva, who are at the zoo today, and played a vital role in the conservation breeding programme for this endangered species. Asian elephants Riva, Indali, Anjan and Maya remain in good health and our expert teams will be monitoring them all extra closely in the coming days and weeks as the herd dynamics adjust to this sudden change."

Asian elephants are listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with fewer