LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Sophie the Elephant, a beloved member of the Little Rock Zoo has been placed on hospice care, the zoo announced on Monday.
According to the Little Rock Zoo, Sophie's health has been on the decline after she was diagnosed with a pyometra infection years ago. The zoo said that most elephants survive for less than a year after the diagnosis, but Sophie's case was different.
"Most elephants survive less than a year with this condition," the Little Rock Zoo said in a statement. "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 disease, which infects the uterus, is non-operable in elephants and is incurable."
The zoo said that they noticed a "firm mass" in Sophie's stomach over the last few weeks, which they believe is the progression of the disease. That, and lower than usual blood protein levels, are both indications of the disease progressing.
Sophie has been with the Little Rock since 2013 when she joined the zoo alongside her companion Babe as the pair traveled from the Niabi Zoo.
Sophie is also a retired circus elephant and is estimated to be between 55 and 56 years old.
Currently, staff at the zoo are evaluating Sophie's quality of life each day alongside two full-time veterinarians. Together, the group tends to Sophie and the disease in what they deem to be the most effective manner with pain medications and antibiotics.
The Little Rock Zoo said that based off of evaluations, zoo staff will either choose humane euthanasia to end Sophie's life or that the beloved elephant could pass on her own.
Additionally, the zoo said that the facility will be closed to the public at the time of Sophie’s passing so zoo staff can conduct a necropsy.
The Little Rock Zoo conducts necropsies on animals after their passing in order to gain insight into the cause of death and to collect samples for research.
Sophie can currently be seen in the elephant habitat at the Little Rock Zoo.