Belfast Zoo's former elephant Dhunja dies

An Asian elephant that lived at Belfast Zoo for 15 years before being moved to the Netherlands seven months ago has died.

Dhunja died at Royal Burger's Zoo in Arnhem at the age of 51.

In a statement, Belfast Zoo said it was "deeply saddened" by the news.

After coming to the zoo in 2009, Dhunja retired to Burgers' Zoo in 2024 with fellow Asian elephant Yhetto.

The zoo is retirement home for elderly cow elephants within the Elephant European Endangered Species Programme (EEP).

At the time Dhunja and Yhetto were moved, Belfast Zoo manager Alyn Cairns said the main reason was due to the zoo's herd size.

It only had two elephants and the minimum herd standard was four elephants.

Due to Dhunja's old age, her health had slowly been deteriorating.

After receiving specialist palliative care the decision was made to put her to sleep on 8 January.

Mr Cairns said it was "a very difficult time for the whole zoo team" and that they were were devastated.

"Dhjuna was a very much-loved member of the zoo family and, even though she recently moved to a new home, Dhjuna still held a special place in the hearts of all the staff and many generations of Belfast Zoo visitors over the years," he said.

"It is devastating to watch any animal that we care for deteriorate so quickly and to have to make such a difficult decision is heartbreaking."

BBC News NI understands a 2019 audit of Belfast's elephant enclosure raised issues regarding some elements of the facilities for the animals - these included no outdoor pool, scratching posts and the need for modernisation.

But, by 2023, Mr Cairns said he had no concerns about the facilities.