Sedgwick County Zoo is saddened to announce the passing of its longest-tenured resident and one of its most iconic animals, 55-year-old female African elephant Stephanie. She was the third-oldest African elephant in North America.
Stephanie received thorough and specialized care to keep her comfortable and ensure she maintained a good quality of life in her senior years. Thanks to the dedicated care she received, her age-related issues were well-controlled until recently when the care team observed a significant downturn and it was clear that her treatment could no longer manage her condition. With her comfort and wellbeing as our highest priority, the elephant care and veterinary teams made the extremely difficult but compassionate decision to humanely euthanize her, surrounded by those who loved her most.
Stephanie found her home at Sedgwick County Zoo in 1972, where she and long-time companion Cinda grew up together and spent decades as beloved ambassadors for their species.
In 2016, two years after Cinda’s passing, Stephanie was introduced to the six incoming elephants that arrived from drought-stricken Eswatini and naturally assumed the role of the herd’s matriarch. When the Zoo welcomed four calves in 2025, she too welcomed each little one into the herd and provided a calming yet sturdy presence as the elephants adjusted to their ever-changing dynamics.
The elephant care team credits Stephanie for keeping the herd solidified and integrated through the births of each calf. It’s natural for mothers to struggle socially after giving birth, and it was Stephanie who guided each one through that transition.
As Stephanie aged, her care team responded by providing shredded hay and grain to ensure she received plenty of calories as chewing became difficult, training her for stretching behaviors that would preserve her mobility and range of motion, and administering multi-modal treatment for arthritis. The exceptional training and trust between Stephanie and the elephant care team allowed her to voluntarily participate in her own health care, standing patiently for routine blood draws, teeth cleanings, physical exams, and hydrotherapy.
Through it all, Stephanie was unwavering in her role of matriarch, providing a supportive presence and meaningful kinship to everyone whose lives she touched – both elephants and humans alike.
“As zookeepers, we love Stephanie as if she were a member of our families,” says Micaela Atkinson, elephant care professional at Sedgwick County Zoo. “But she wasn’t just ours – she was an icon of the Zoo and so many people in our community share the same amount of love for her.”
Atkinson remembers meeting Stephanie and Cinda on Zoo visits as a child and decided at a very young age that she wanted to work with elephants. She began her zoo career as a volunteer at 14 and has cared for Stephanie in some capacity ever since.
“The habitat has changed, my teammates have changed, the herd has changed,” Atkinson reflects. “Stephanie has been the only constant in my career.”
Known for her sassy spirit and bold personality, Stephanie will leave an enduring legacy at Sedgwick County Zoo.
“Stubborn and sassy,” Atkinson says. “Those are the best words to describe her. She’s a big drama queen and even though she is slower than she used to be, she’s never stopped winning people over with her charisma and attitude.”
Stephanie’s loss will be felt deeply across generations of Zoo employees and guests, but her memory will be honored in the ongoing work of the Zoo’s passionate and dedicated employees, working daily to inspire respect and conservation for wildlife and wild places.
