According to various news reports, the country’s oldest elephant, Lokimala, has died at the age of 86 due to old age.
The female elephant, which died at the Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre (PKGK) in Lanchang, was brought to the country from Assam, India, in 1974.
Lokimala had been involved in many operations to pacify and relocate more than 150 wild male elephants to conservation centres and was said to be friendly, docile and hardworking.
PKGK chief Che Ku Mohd Zamzuri Chik Wan Ab Rahman shared that Lokimala was “attached” to the elephant management and welfare unit.
“Lokimala was brought to this country along with three other elephants; Ganesh, La Bahadul and Paul Bahadul, to aid in the relocation of wild elephants. Apart from that Lokimala was also involved in entertainment programmes for visitors to the centre.”
Meanwhile, Zamzuri said Lokimala had been unwell in the last few years, so the centre’s management decided to remove her from the elephant operations team.
“Lokimala was attended by a staff member who took care of her well-being, including for treatment and diet,” he added.
He explained that Lokimala is about the same age as another elephant named ‘Lin Wang’ in Taipei Zoo, which made a name in the Guinness Book of World Record as the oldest back in 2003.
Thank you to Lokimala for everything she has done for us. What do you think of the news? Let us know in the comments.
Also read: Sabahan Wildlife Park Invites M’sians to Name 3 of Their Bornean Elephant Calves
