Japan's oldest elephant, Hanako, died and was sent to Japan after World War II

According to Japan's Kyodo News Agency reported on May 26, Hanako, a female Asian elephant who traveled to Japan after World War II and gathered super popularity, died on the 26th at the breeding site Inokashira Natural Culture Park (located in Musashino City, Tokyo). Hanako is 69 years old and the oldest elephant in Japan. It is reported that the cause of death is aging.

At about 8:30 a.m. on the morning of the 26th, the keeper found "Hanako" lying indoors. Although attempts were made to get it to stand up, the elephant slowly lost consciousness and died at about 3 p.m.

The director of the park, Kiyoshi Nagai, recalled the elephant's deathbed and said, "She left quietly and peacefully" and said, "I am really sorry." She is the most popular elephant in Japan. I want to thank the people who like her."

Hanako was born in Thailand in 1947. In 1949, it was donated to the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo and named after Hanako, an elephant known for starving in war. It has been bred in in 1954 at inokashira Natural Culture Park.

Mieko Ishishima, a housewife in Musashino City who came to the garden with her daughter and grandson, said: "I have been here often since I was a child, and her departure makes people feel very lonely." Lin Meixiang of Mitaka City said: "It's hard to say 'Hanako'. She really tried. ”