A circus elephant showed deeply touching grief as her long time performing partner suddenly collapsed and died earlier this week.
The pair Jenny and Magda had been inseparable for more than a quarter of a century in Russia.
A circus elephant shows deeply touching grief as her long time performing partner suddenly collapses and dies
Magda reportedly said goodbye to Jenny for several hours and did not allow veterinarians near her
Female elephants Magda and Jenny performed together for a quarter of a century, seen here in Kazan Circus in Russia
He suffered two spinal fractures, broken ribs and a punctured lung.
Their long running show was abruptly cancelled.
Jenny recently died and her long-time partner Magda showed deep grief
Circus elephants Jenny and Magda were retired in 2021 after staging a fight in front of terrified children and parents during a performance in Kazan, Russia
Female elephants Magda and Jenny performed together for a quarter of a century, seen here in Kazan Circus in Russia
Kazan State Circus director Ramil Sharifullin said: ‘I cannot imagine how to stop the elephants from thundering towards the audience should they want to.’
He said that this time the elephant pair had been in a conflict and the trainer was the unfortunate victim.
Campaigners called for an end to animals being ‘cruelly’ used in circuses in Russia.
Yet any dispute between Jenny and Magda was not seen again in retirement when the animals occasionally staged impromptu vignettes remembered from their of their old circus performances.
‘Magda and Jenny always stuck together and lived amicably,’ reported Baza.
Elephants are among the most emotionally intelligent animals, known for displaying behaviour that suggests mourning and remembrance.