Oldest elephant in Malaysia, Lokimala, dies at 86

 

Lokimala, the country's oldest elephant, died at the age of 86 at the National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah, Pahang last night.

According to the National Parks of Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan), the female elephant was brought into Malaysia from India, along with three other elephants, in 1974 to help relocate wild elephants.

“On June 22, 1974, when it was 37 years old, Lokimala was brought to Malaysia along with three other elephants - Ganesh, Lal Bahadul and Paul Bahadul, to help with the relocation of elephants.

“Lokimala has helped relocate more than 150 wild elephants, especially in Merbau Berdarah, Selangor and Tasik Kenyir, Terengganu,” Perhilitan said in an Instagram post today.

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Lokimala retired from its duties a few years ago due to age-related complications, including vision issues and declining health.

Furthermore, Perhilitan noted that all of Lokimala's caregivers have also retired, having devoted over three decades to its care.

Perhilitan added that Lokimala’s passing mirrors the milestone of Lin Wang, which, as per the Guinness World Records, also lived to be 86 years old before its demise in 2003 at Taipei Zoo, Taiwan. - Mkini