‘Elephant Granny’ dies aged 88 after life serving temple

Thiruvananthapuram – An Asian elephant believed to be the oldest yet in captivity has died aged 88 in the Indian state of Kerala, officials said this week.

Awarded the title of “Gaja Muthassi” (elephant granny), Dakshayani took part in temple rituals and processions for decades, but breathed her last on Tuesday after becoming reluctant to eat, her veterinary surgeon said.

“At 3pm, a sudden shiver passed through her large frame beginning in the head region. After a few minutes she bent her forelimbs and lay down. And that was it,” T Rajeev said.

The oldest elephant in captivity recognised by Guinness World Records was aged 86 – Lin Wang, another Asian elephant who died in 2003 in a Taiwan zoo. Captive elephants have a life expectancy of 40-plus years. –