ASHEBORO, N.C. (WECT) — C’sar, the North Carolina Zoo’s longest-tenured resident and the oldest African bull elephant in the United States, died Dec. 19 at 51 years old. The elephant died peacefully under the care of zoo experts who had been monitoring his health as age-related conditions progressed, according to zoo officials. C’sar arrived at the North Carolina Zoo on July 25, 1978, at around four years old after being orphaned in Kenya. “C’sar was a living piece of history and a beloved member of our Zoo community,” said Diane Villa, interim director of the North Carolina Zoo. His presence supported the zoo’s conservation efforts in west Africa, including satellite tracking collars, anti-poaching initiatives and community-based conservation strategies.

Source: The North Africa Journal December 23, 2025 01:17 UTC