Sad News From Chester Zoo
Oh dear, what sad news from Chester Zoo. As if the latest financial news wasn’t bad enough, we now have the awful news of the death of one of the Chester Zoo stalwarts. One of Chester Zoo’s greatest characters, Thi Hi Way, the great grandmother Asian elephant has sadly passed away.
Over the last few years or so we have had the tragic news of babies passing away from virus related illnesses. In particular, EEHV, a deadly virus which affects Asian elephants.
This latest sad news from Chester Zoo has caused much heartbreak amongst the staff and everyone connected with Chester Zoo. And understandably so. No doubt many Zoo visitors will be affected as well.
More information of this very sad news……
Sad News From Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo are so very sad to announce the news of the death of Asian elephant, Thi Hi Way.
Thi was a great grandmother and matriarch of the family herd of Asian elephants. Over the years of her life at Chester Zoo, Thi had given birth to several calves in her time, including Assam in 2000 and Anjan in 2018.
In more recent years Thi had been living with arthritis which was linked to her early years spent in a logging camp in Myanmar.
Elephant care experts did everything they could while providing her with daily medication and new hydrotherapy treatment sessions. But, sadly, the treatment programme eventually lost its impact and effect.
After a spell of intensive end-of-life care and an irreversible decline in her condition and suffering, the sad and hugely difficult decision was made to put her to sleep.
Sad News From Chester Zoo – Thi Hi Way Tributes
Conservationists and other zoo staff have paid tribute to the “extraordinary legacy” she’s left on the endangered species.
Chester Zoo director, Mike Jordan said, “This is a truly heart-breaking day. Generations of zoo visitors and the vast majority of our staff have never known a Chester Zoo without great grandmother elephant, Thi Hi Way. She was deeply loved and will be enormously missed. Thi was a giant within the global conservation community.
While today is terribly sad, we also look back and celebrate her life and remember the hugely positive impact she’s had – not just on the multi-generational family herd here at Chester but on Asian elephant research, understanding and conservation, globally.
Thi had a big personality. She was a real ambassador for her species and, in many ways, a pioneer. A great deal of what conservationists know about Asian elephant biology and behaviour and the way that these remarkable animals live and reproduce has been learnt from Thi and her offspring. She has greatly enhanced our collective knowledge of this wonderful species and leaves an extraordinary legacy, one which has benefitted, and will continue to benefit, Asian elephants everywhere.
“Chester Zoo is at the forefront of the fight for endangered Asian elephants and Thi will always be remembered as an integral part of that.”
You would always see the impressive and imposing presence of Thi whenever you entered the Zoo. It will be strange not to see her there any more.
Keeper, Alan Littlehales said:
“I’ve known Thi for over 20 years and she was dearly beloved; a wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother and central to the growing family herd at the zoo.
Thi was a hugely influential elephant. She has helped us to completely revolutionise how to best care for elephants in progressive zoos and these world-class husbandry techniques are now influencing elephant care globally.
We’ll always remember Thi Hi Way. She was a huge personality and her solid, steady presence will be greatly missed.”
How Old Was Thi Hi Way?
Thi’s exact date of birth is not known. She was born in Myanmar where she spent several years living in a logging camp before. Conservationists from London Zoo rescued her before moving her to Chester in 1991.
Over the 29 years or so, Thi was seen as a hugely influential elephant. She was a huge character and personality and her presence will be missed by so many.
Her immediate family will be grieving as well of course. Elephants are highly sociable animals and experts say the family will go through a short grieving process before natural instincts will kick in and they will hopefully and quickly move on from the loss of Thi.
Sad news indeed. Let’s hope we will soon have some good news stories to tell. Rest in peace Thi. You will be sorely missed by so many.
Chester Zoo Blog Posts
Thank you for reading my latest Chester Zoo blog post – “Sad News From Chester Zoo.” And thank you for visiting my Chester Lifestyle website. It is much appreciated. To read all of my other Chester Zoo blog posts – click this link HERE. Have a check through and cheer yourself up and concentrate on the good news posts. There’s plenty of them.
Chester Zoo Page
I also have a Chester Zoo page on my website where you can find out even more information about our world famous attraction. To be on the safe side, double check opening times and ticket booking arrangements during these difficult times.
And that’s not all……..
Famous People From Chester
Chester Zoo has quite a presence on my “Famous People From Chester” page. Boris The Chimp, George Mottershead and others get a mention. Check them out HERE.
Please Note
I earn commissions from Amazon for any qualifying purchases made from my Chester Lifestyle website.
By clicking the image below, or the product links below that, you will be taken through to Amazon where you can search and shop safely and securely to your heart’s content. Many thanks.
Shop Safely And Securely From Amazon
Some great Chester Zoo related gifts……
