An elephant known in her Miami zoo as one of the “Golden Girls” died after fighting with another elderly elephant. Cita, a 50-year-old African elephant, “was knocked down and unable to recover” after an encounter with another African elephant named Peggy, Zoo Miami said in an online statement. “This is a very difficult time for the Zoo Miami family, as well as the staff and volunteers at the Virginia Zoo where Cita had lived for decades,” the zoo said. Though the average lifespan of an elephant is 70 years, their life expectancy shortens in captivity to between 35 and 45 years, Zoo Miami Director Ron Magill told the Miami Herald. Unfortunately, because of Cita’s advanced age, Peggy’s effort to reinforce her dominance resulted in Cita being knocked down,” the zoo explained.

Source: Fox News February 27, 2019 21:28 UTC