Dolly The Elephant Offered Hospice-Style Care At Denver Zoo
DENVER (CBS4) - Dolly, an Asian elephant at the Denver Zoo, is being offered hospice-style care by the Denver Zoo staff.
In a Facebook post, the Zoo announced that Dolly's health has declined recently.
"Staff are closely monitoring Dolly as she is experiencing discomfort and has had a decrease in her appetite," the Denver Zoo posted. "Zookeepers and veterinarians provide pain medication to keep her comfortable and to help maintain her quality of life."
Dolly's exact age is unknown since she was born in the wild, but she is believed to be at least 52. Among accredited zoos, that makes her the 10th oldest elephant.
"The life expectancy for female Asian elephants in zoos is 46.9," the Zoo stated.
While Dolly is currently resting behind the scenes at the zoo, she can still be seen at the exhibit when she chooses.
If you would like to leave your thoughts or well-wishes for Dolly and the staff during this difficult time, the Denver Zoo requests that you visit the exhibit and leave a note on one of their elephant cards there.
