Connie, the Asian elephant who spent decades at the Reid Park Zoo before being moved to San Diego earlier this year, had an “aggressive” type of cancer in her reproductive system, necropsy results show.
Connie was euthanized last week by San Diego Zoo officials.
“The findings are showing that her recent decline in health is due to an aggressive cancer in her cervix and uterus that spread to her abdominal cavity,” said Yadira Galindo, a spokeswoman for the San Diego Zoo.
It’s unknown when the cancer first started to develop in Connie, Galindo said.
“This type of uterine cancer is a long-term process that can occur in aging mammals,” she said.
Connie began having urinary-and-reproductive tract infections several years ago and has had physical exams and blood tests at both zoos.
People are also reading…
However, the tumors weren’t detected until early last week when the San Diego Zoo brought in a specialist to perform a thorough ultrasound, Galindo said.
“We think this cancer is really what was causing some of those infections,” she said.
Cancer in the reproductive system is difficult to diagnose in living elephants because of their size and “the way their organs shield each other,” Galindo said.
Air adventure park to open in Tucson with ziplines and more
