Elephant’s death saddens N.C. Zoo staff

C’sar had been at the North Carolina Zoo since age 4. (North Carolina Zoo photo)

ASHEBORO – The North Carolina Zoo lost a longtime resident with the death last month of C’sar, an African bull elephant.

At age 51, C’sar was the oldest African bull elephant in the United States. He had been at the zoo since 1978, arriving from Kenya.

The zoo announced that the death was from natural causes. He was the first elephant to become a resident at the facility.

“C’sar was a living piece of history and a beloved member of our Zoo community,” said Diane Villa, interim director of the North Carolina Zoo. “His gentle presence and remarkable story introduced millions of guests to the wonder of wildlife and the importance of conservation. … His longevity is a testament to the love and quality of care he received throughout his life.”

Information from the zoo points out that C’sar didn’t produce any offspring.

Yet zoo officials have pointed out that C’sar was part of history. In 2011, he became the first elephant in the world to undergo successful cataract surgery and later became the first to receive custom-fitted contact lenses.

N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell said: “Not only did C’sar bring joy to visitors for decades, but he embodied everything that is wonderful about the North Carolina Zoo: conservation, education, and phenomenal animal care. We will miss him, and our thoughts are with his keepers, Zoo employees, and all those who loved him.”

Some workers at the zoo shared tributes regarding the elephant.

“C’sar helped people understand why conservation matters,” said Rich Bergl, deputy director and chief mission officer of the Zoo. “Because of him, guests have felt a personal connection to the challenges faced by wild elephants and have seen how we all have a role to play in ensuring the survival of elephants and other wild species.”

The zoo will announce plans to honor C’sar’s memory. There’s a The C’sar Legacy Fund where donations cane be made through the N.C. Zoo Society.