TAMPA, Fla. — Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has announced that a beloved member of their elephant herd has died.
Rosie, a female Asian elephant, passed away at 54, surpassing the average 45 to 47-year lifespan of female Asian elephants.
"Her remarkable longevity was a testament to the dedicated care and expertise of her team, who diligently attended to all of her many needs - including the specialized care related to her advanced age - that allowed her to thrive amongst her herd and spread joy to countless admirers," the park said in a Facebook post.
Throughout her lifetime, the park staff said Rosie helped educate millions of guests every year about the threats that face her wild counterparts and contributed to research efforts to better understand how to help elephants around the world.
Those who took care of Rosie at the park said they will especially miss her "Rosie Rumbles" — a sound that she made when she was excited to see them.
"Though she was the smallest member of our herd, she has left a big hole in all our hearts," the park said.
