MEMPHIS, Tenn. — One of Memphis zoo's beloved elephants has died.
Zoo officials say Tyranza, or Ty as she was affectionately called, died Friday after a dramatic decline in her health.
Ty was put on zoo hospice care where her health was closely monitored and she was kept as comfortable as possible.
To avoid any suffering, the decision was made to humanely euthanize her.
At 56, Tyranza was the oldest African elephant in North America. She set the record for longest-lived African elephant in North America as well.
Ty was born in the wild in 1964, where it is believed she was orphaned.
After a short stint as a circus elephant with Ringling Brothers, she was retired to Memphis Zoo in 1977.
