"We have had the honor of caring for Mimi since 1961. She has been a tremendous ambassador for generations of Denver Zoo guests and a beloved member of our community," says Denver Zoo President/CEO Craig Piper. "Although we will continue to offer her the best of care and hope she rebounds, the time has come to allow her to live her remaining time with the dignity and respect she so richly deserves. Mimi has good days and bad days and we have no way of knowing how much time she has left. However, no matter how much we wish, nothing will turn back time and give her the health she enjoyed in her youth."
Zoo veterinarians and her caretakers have kept a close eye on her and have recently seen a turn for the worse despite their best efforts to help. Recently, she has begun refusing food and medication. Current medical assessments of Mimi do not offer a specific diagnosis outside of advanced age and arthritis. Animal care and veterinary staff continue to consult with one another and outside experts to determine all of Mimi's medical and husbandry options. Unfortunately, additional diagnostic tests would require more invasive measures that would likely not provide new information and could put her health at greater risk. Therefore, these are not being pursued.
"We are at the point where we need to be cautious not to try things that make us feel better. Instead, we are going to focus on making Mimi completely comfortable while we monitor her quality of life," says Denver Zoo COO Kyle Burks.
Zoo staff and vets are watching her very closely to monitor her condition and quality of life and continue to offer medication and therapy. Zookeepers will continue to allow Mimi to decide where in the exhibit she is most comfortable. Currently, her favorite area is a private outdoor yard behind the scenes at Toyota Elephant Passage and some of the indoor bedrooms. Unfortunately, she cannot be seen by zoo guests in these areas. Mimi also is able to spend time with her longtime exhibit mate, Dolly if she desires. Staff also is providing an electrolyte solution to keep Mimi hydrated as well as numerous food options, hoping to encourage her to eat.
According to the Association of Zoo's & Aquariums Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan, the average life expectancy for female Asian elephants in zoos is 46.9 years old. Mimi is believed to have been born in India around 1958 before making her way to Los Angeles via a private individual.
Mimi has been a very popular resident of Denver Zoo for more than 50 years. On September 17, 1961 she arrived at what was then the City Park Zoo in Denver, purchased and donated by Helen Bonfils, then the secretary-treasurer of the Denver Post. The name Mimi actually came from the protagonist in the musical, Sail Away, which Bonfils also co-produced. At barely more than four-feet-tall, she was described by one newspaper as "so lovable 'you could take her right into your home.'" Mimi continues to be loved by everyone in Denver and Denver Zoo will continue to provide updates when appropriate.
Denver Zoo is home to three other Asian elephants, female Dolly, male Groucho and male Bodhi.
