The elephant Kenya died at the Brazilian Elephant Sanctuary, a few months after her transfer from the Mendoza zoo, which later became an ecopark. He was 44 years old and the last specimen of his species held in captivity in Argentina. His death symbolically closes a long history of imprisonment and freedom that came too late.
Having arrived in the country as a puppy, she had spent over forty years among concrete, small spaces and isolation at the Ecoparque in Mendoza. A long existence, but profoundly marked by conditions incompatible with the physiology of an elephant, especially as regards joints, legs and respiratory system.
The transfer to the Elephant Sanctuary
In July 2025, after years of preparation, Kenya was transferred to the Brazilian Elephant Sanctuary in the state of Mato Grosso. A complex journey, covering thousands of kilometres, followed step by step by specialized veterinarians and caregivers. The move represented a historic moment: with his departure, Argentina officially became a country without captive elephants. In the first days in the sanctuary, Kenya showed evident changes: she walked on soft ground, she bathed in the mud, she interacted with the environment in a new way, as if her body was finally remembering what it means to be free.
The bond with Pupy
One of the most touching aspects of Kenya’s last months was meeting Pupy, another elephant transferred from Argentina. A relationship based on attention, respect and closeness was slowly built between the two, without forcing. An authentic bond, born in the long times that only animals know. When Pupy died last October, Kenya remained by her side, even watching over her during the night. A behavior that tells more than any words the emotional depth of these animals.
The farewell
In recent days, Kenya’s conditions have worsened. The sanctuary team spoke openly about the consequences of decades of living on hard surfaces, which had caused osteoarthritis, paw problems and breathing difficulties. Despite intensive care, antibiotics and constant monitoring, Kenya died yesterday, December 16th. The exact causes will be clarified by the necropsy, but the general picture was that of a body worn out by an unnatural life that only in recent months has seen some freedom.
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