http://www.elephants.com/media/chicagoTribune_1_5_06.htm

Sick Elephant Dies Before Being Moved to Sanctuary

Jan. 5, 2006
Chicago Tribune

Original Article

McHENRY COUNTY -- A Tennessee sanctuary preparing to receive nine elephants from a troubled circus-training facility in McHenry County reported Wednesday that one of the animals died.

"It is very difficult to have to accept that she doesn't get to come here," Elephant Sanctuary executive director Carol Buckley said of Sue, a 40-year-old Asian elephant.

The elephant was among nine that Hawthorn Corp. owner John Cuneo agreed to donate to the sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tenn., as part of a settlement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The elephant had an adverse reaction to a tranquilizer administered during blood tests for tuberculosis on Dec. 19 and died on Dec. 30, Buckley said.

It might be weeks before test results show the cause of the death, Buckley said.

Preliminary tests indicate the elephant did not have tuberculosis, Buckley said.

The transfer remains on schedule and will happen by the end of the month, Buckley said.

Hawthorn Corp. is still trying to find homes for a male elephant and another female that remain at the Richmond-area farm.

Test results Wednesday show that the other eight elephants are free of tuberculosis and otherwise appear healthy, Buckley said.