The Sanctuary Announces the Passing of Asian Elephant, Nichole

nnessee is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Asian elephant Nichole at age 48. Nichole was the 30th resident at The Sanctuary.

Nichole arrived March 9, 2023, with a long history of chronic foot disease and osteomyelitis. These health issues were compounded by more recent diagnosis of degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis, and septic arthritis. Nichole’s conditions impacted her quality of life and, combined with her age, set a grave prognosis. Due to irreversible progression of these health issues and the increasing pain associated, Nichole was humanely euthanized on April 20, 2023.

Nichole was imported to the United States in 1980 and spent the next several decades performing and on exhibition as part of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey traveling circus. In 2016, Nichole moved to San Antonio Zoo in Texas. After the passing of her two companions in 2022, San Antonio Zoo made the decision to transfer Nichole to The Sanctuary to provide her with continued social and herd opportunities.

In planning for her move to Tennessee, the San Antonio Zoo and The Sanctuary’s Veterinary and Care Teams worked collaboratively to ensure continuity of care, including multimodal pain control, antibiotics, and strategic foot care. Nichole’s chronic health conditions date back more than 20 years, and the progression limited her mobility and impacted her ability to lie down. The Sanctuary’s Facilities and Care Staff made many barn and habitat modifications in preparation for her arrival: adding sand on rocky trails throughout her habitat to make it easier to explore her space and adding support structures in her barn so she could take pressure off her feet. She was also provided access to a “lean-to” rest aid made with recycled firehose woven together, which hung floor to ceiling, creating a giant “vertical hammock” that allowed Nichole to lean against and rest.

On the morning of April 20th, Nichole’s health rapidly declined as her Care Staff and Veterinary Staff worked to provide support and comfort. It was quickly determined that her front feet and legs could not support her, and medications no longer controlled the pain.

The Sanctuary’s Vet Staff, in consultation with Care Staff and the team at San Antonio Zoo, discussed quality of life and the irreversible worsening of her health issues. The difficult decision was made, and Nichole was humanely euthanized at 3:37 p.m. with her dedicated Care Staff remaining nearby. “Although it is absolutely the hardest part of the work we do, we are committed to ensuring that geriatric elephants are provided with comfort and dignity. Nichole won our hearts within hours of arrival. We all desperately wished for her to have years and years to experience and explore The Sanctuary, with new friends,” says Dr. Lydia Young, DVM, The Elephant Sanctuary. Kristy E., Senior Manager — Elephant Care, shared more about

along the fence. Staff noted that when Sissy and Nosey interacted, Nichole often observed and listened with one ear out, even rumbling and smacking her trunk on the ground in apparent excitement. We are hopeful that both Sissy and Nosey brought Nichole comfort in her final days.

“It is with a heavy heart that we make this announcement. Nichole’s final day: “She loved resting in the sunshine and spent her last day soaking in the warmth on the barn patio. We were so hopeful that she would make some progress, but it gives us great comfort that she is finally at rest.”

At The Sanctuary, Nichole was introduced to herd mates Sissy and Nosey. Nichole was known to be a welcoming elephant, eager for social opportunities. Staff had observed Sissy and Nichole spending time eating hay and produce near each other. Caregivers listened to their communications, with Sissy popping her trunk and Nichole thumping hers on the ground.

Nosey was seen reaching with her trunk through the fence to greet Nichole and recently spent hours relaxing next to NicholeThe Sanctuary is thankful for the opportunity to spend time with Nichole, to witness her strength and perseverance. We would like to thank all our professional colleagues who answered our call for help and information to best meet her needs in her end-of-life care,” says Janice Zeitlin, CEO of The Elephant Sanctuary.