Mary – Died 2021
Years alone: 12
Mary – Died 2021
Mary the elephant has been alone at the Tokushima City Zoo in Japan for 12 years since the death of her companion. Mary seems to have pain in her back leg and has legions all over her skin—probably from rubbing against the walls of her stall.
Despite her pain, when her keepers feed her, they force her to sit down in her cage for 30 seconds—a demonstration of their control. Mary is kept indoors for most of the day (approx. 18 hours) in her tiny indoor stall. She copes with her stress by continuously rocking her body back and forth.
Find out more ways you can start helping Mary and the other solitary elephants HERE.
Update:
Mary has died aged only 31 years on July 23, 2021. In their statement, the zoo mentions the loss of appetite a few days prior to her death which is still under investigation.