Augsburg in deep mourning: Germany's oldest elephant died unexpectedly at the age of 67
Created: 10/11/2022 10:54 am
By: Felix Herz
After 35 years at the Augsburg Zoo, it was now time to say goodbye to the 67-year-old elephant Targa.
© Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa
Germany's oldest elephant and one of the oldest elephants in human care worldwide is dead. Targa fell asleep forever on Monday night.
Augsburg – The Augsburg Zoo mourns the loss of one of its icons.
The elephant lady Targa fell asleep forever on the night of Monday, October 10th.
At 67, Targa was the oldest elephant in Germany and one of the oldest elephants in human care worldwide.
Mourning for the elephant lady Targa: passed away peacefully at the age of 67
There is deep sadness among carers and zoo fans.
Zoo curator Thomas Lipp explained to the Augsburger Allgemeine that Targa was an icon of the zoo and that the caretakers reacted very emotionally to the news of the death.
"The nurses cried," said Lipp.
Until June 2021, Targa still had her longtime companion Burma with her in the enclosure.
Then the 53-year-old elephant cow had to be put down.
According to her caretakers, Targa continued to search for her mate long after Burma's death – in vain.
At least, according to the tenor among the nurses, Targa didn't have to suffer for long.
According to the newspaper's report, according to the zoo's Facebook page, she fell asleep peacefully.
Targa was still very vigorous for her old age, so her death came as a surprise - despite various signs of old age.
(By the way: Our Bayern newsletter informs you about all the important stories from Bavaria. Register here.)
Oldest elephant in Germany alone after losing his girlfriend
Elephant icon Targa: From India via Hamburg to Augsburg
Targa was born in India in 1955.
At the age of six, the elephant lady came to Hamburg.
After a detour in Osnabrück, she finally ended up in Augsburg Zoo, where she lived for 35 years, most of the time in the enclosure with Burma.
On Facebook, many users are also deeply affected by the death of the animal.
Within an hour, more than 200 reactions to the death report from the Augsburg Zoo were collected, many comments expressing dismay and sadness.
"Rest in peace dear Targa.
We will miss you," wrote one user.
"Now she is back with her friend Burma," read another comment.
(fhz)
All news and stories from Bavaria can now also be found on our brand new Facebook page Merkur Bayern.