Yum Yum, the longest-living resident at Taronga Western Plains Zoo and the oldest African elephant in Australia, was euthanized yesterday, after suffering a mystery illness. Yum Yum, who was also the Matriarch, was 41 and was well loved by both staff and vistors to the conservation park. Veterinary staff at the park will conduct tests to determine the illness Yum Yum suffered. Keepers noticed the unexpected decline early last week and veterinary staff monitored her closely, an emotional zoo general manager said when making the announcement of her death. “Yum Yum has been one of our aged residents who has obviously been closely monitored and cared for as an aged animal,” he said. “During this last week she has shown severe signs of illness, which from yesterday certainly gave us the indication that it was a condition that was going to be irreversible. Throughout the night and this morning the very difficult and incredibly challenging decision by veterinary staff and zoo keepers was made to put Yum Yum to sleep to ensure her comfort was the primary decision in the process". Yum Yum, had lived at the zoo since it opened in 1977, when she arrived with 2 other African elephants, Cheri and Cuddles, from the United Kingdom. Cheri died in 2007. "Best Mate" Cuddles survives and is said to be struggling with the loss. “Yum Yum’s companion, African elephant Cuddles, had shown concern for Yum Yum and keepers will spend time with her her over the coming days as she mourns the loss and adjusts,” said the general manager. “There are also 3 female Asian elephants in the adjacent exhibit and Cuddles will continue to have visual and sensory contact with them". Zoo staff were also mourning the death of Yum Yum, described as having “a unique personality” and “highly intelligent”.
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