Yani, a 34-year-old Sumatran elephant kept in Bandung Zoo, sadly died yesterday evening after a week long battle with an unknown disease.
It was reported that the zoo did not provide medical attention to Yani the whole time she was sick. Yani was left to lay on her side in her confinement area for a week before she eventually died.
The West Java Nature Conservation Agency (BKSDA) lambasted the zoo for not assigning a vet to Yani. In fact, they say the zoo hasn’t employed a permanent vet for a year.
“Having a vet is mandatory [for a zoo]. They haven’t had one for a year,” said Sylvana Ratna, head of West Java BKSDA, as quoted by Merdeka today.
Veterinarians from Taman Safari and the West Java Health Agency are today conducting an autopsy on Yani to pinpoint the cause of her death. The zoo is closed while this process is ongoing.
Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil previously criticized Bandung Zoo’s apparent mistreatment of animals and suggested that the zoo may have financial issues. However, Ridwan admitted that the Bandung administration can’t meddle with the management of the zoo as it is a privately run institution.
It remains to be seen if the zoo will be sanctioned for Yani’s death and other possible cases of animal mistreatment.
Also yesterday, a Sumatran elephant trampled on and killed its attending vet in Wonogiri, Central Java.
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