A beloved African elephant who spent decades at the Oakland Zoo has died. The Oakland Zoo announced Friday that Donna the African elephant died suddenly at the elephant sanctuary in Tennessee. Zoo officials say on Tuesday, sanctuary staff noticed a difference in her demeanor, and while under observation, Donna died.

An African elephant who formerly lived at the Oakland Zoo died at an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee this week, the zoo announced Friday. Donna, described as “beloved member of the Oakland Zoo family,

Donna the elephant, who moved from the Oakland Zoo to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee in 2023, died on Christmas Eve.

"Her sudden passing has left us heartbroken. We remain committed to understanding the cause of her passing," The Sanctuary's CEO said in a social media post.