Meet Shaunzi, The Former Circus Elephant And LA's Newest Resident

LOS ANGELES, CA — An elephant was relocated from Fresno to the Los Angeles Zoo Tuesday after losing her longtime companion.

The Asian elephant, 46-year-old Shaunzi, was born in Thailand in 1971 and spent much of her youth in the Cristiani Bros. Circus.

Shaunzi had lived at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo since 1983 alongside another Asian elephant, Kara, who died June 7. She was transferred to the L.A. Zoo so she would not have to be alone.

"We didn't hesitate when asked by the Fresno Chaffee Zoo to provide a home for Shaunzi," said L.A. Zoo Director John Lewis. "This is an Asian elephant who recently lost her lifetime companion, and we are able to provide her with socialization, excellent care, and a state-of-the-art facility where she can live out the rest of her years."

Sahunzi joins three other Asian elephants -- Billy, Tina and Jewel -- at the zoo and will be quarantined for the next month so she can slowly get to know her new home and the other elephants before being seen by visitors.

"Shaunzi has been in Fresno for more than three decades and, while staff and guests are going to miss her, we are very excited to be able to relocate her to Los Angeles, said Scott Barton, CEO at Fresno Chaffee Zoo. We really feel like it's the perfect fit for Shaunzi.

City News Service; Photos courtesy of the LA Zoo