Sad news, folks. This week at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, the oldest elephant in the U.S. died. Taj, an Asian elephant, passed away on Monday. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums lists her birth year as 1940.
"She was first mentioned in records was in 1970, when she became a lead elephant for Circus Vargas, " reports SF Appeal. "Taj traveled the country as a performing circus elephant until 1976, when she was given to the Hari Krishna religious group, which used her as a symbolic part of their ceremonies" until she became too "unruly" for the cult group.
She was then transferred to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in 1978. RIP, big lady.
