In sad news, the Elephant Sanctuary of Brazil (SEB) reported this Tuesday the death of Kenya, the African elephant transferred from Mendoza to the neighboring country five months ago.
The 44-year-old female was the last specimen of her species in captivity in Argentina, and her release story marked a historic milestone in the country.
The elephant died in the early hours of the morning at the Elephant Sanctuary of Brazil where she arrived a few months ago to regain her freedom.
The news was shared by SEB itself: according to the communication, the death of Kenya occurred accompanied by her caretakers, who stayed with her throughout the previous night.
Kenya’s last days before her death: intensive veterinary care
The veterinary team at the sanctuary detected a change in Kenya’s breathing last Saturday, a concerning symptom in elephant physiology.
“Elephants generally mask illnesses, we immediately started antibiotic injections,” the refuge reported.
Additionally, the specialists also added treatments for joint pain, aimed at relieving discomfort caused by her previous history in captivity.
Initially, the days passed between clinical evaluations, blood samples, and additional therapy sessions.
Kenya accepted the injections and even facilitated the work of the veterinarians, leaning to receive the medication in the muscles of her legs.
However, the team was concerned about her lack of interest in certain foods, fatigue, and reluctance to lie down.
“When an elephant stops lying down, it may be due to fear of not being able to get up again,” the entity explained.
On Monday, the medical team reinforced the treatment with a new broad-spectrum antibiotic and decided to install an intravenous catheter.
A fluid therapy was enabled, administration of medications, and ventilation mechanisms to cool her down.
According to SEB, the treatments for Kenya before her death included:
- Nebulization for respiratory issues
- Laser therapy for her legs
- Intravenous administration of medications
- Ventilation to regulate her temperature
That same day, after a final round of treatments, the team removed the catheter and allowed Kenya to choose between staying in the shed or going out.
“Her eyes showed fatigue, although they seemed more alive after the afternoon of therapies,” reported the institution.
However, “after several days without showing signs of lying down, Kenya finally lay down last night,” the institution recounted.
And it detailed that “she seemed to have settled, and her breathing became easier.”
After this change, at dawn her breathing altered and she let out “a soft trumpet of a calf” before departing quickly and silently.
The historic transfer of Kenya from Mendoza
Kenya arrived in July 2025 at the Elephant Sanctuary of Brazil after a meticulous preparation process that included seven years of conditioning.
The operation required countless health evaluations, international permits, and a training system based on positive reinforcement.
The departure from Mendoza was finalized on July 9, a date chosen to coincide with Argentina’s Independence Day.
The journey covered 3,600 kilometers across the border between Misiones and Brazil and was completed in five days with permanent accompaniment.
“Kenya will be able to be with others of her species, smell fresh, moist grass, scratch against a tree, and move freely,” indicated at the time the director of Biodiversity and Ecopark, Ignacio Haudet, who was part of the convoy.
Leandro Fruitos, from the Franz Weber Foundation, noted that the relocation ended “136 years of elephant captivity in Argentina.”
For this reason, Kenya’s story was closely followed by millions who longed to see the elephant free and bring an end to elephant captivity in Argentina.
A necropsy and Kenya’s legacy
After Kenya’s death, the Elephant Sanctuary of Brazil announced it will conduct a necropsy on the elephant’s body, the results of which will take months.
Additionally, they are preparing a resting place for Kenya next to Pupy, another elephant with whom she developed a bond after her arrival.
The caretakers Michele and Scott stayed with Kenya until the end. The SEB team highlighted that “Kenya touched thousands of hearts just by being who she was.”
Kenya’s death marks the end of an era for animal rehabilitation projects in both Argentina and Brazil. “She may have left us physically, but Kenya will always be in our hearts,” reiterated the sanctuary.
