Sabu — In Memoriam

On Wednesday, January 11, 2012, Sabu, PAWS' 29-year-old Asian bull elephant, succumbed to the effects of severe arthritis in multiple joints. We will miss this gentle giant.

Born November 1, 1982, at Portland Zoo, Sabu was transferred to a circus in 1984, and then retired to PAWS' ARK 2000 Sanctuary in September 2010. Here Sabu joined Nicholas, PAWS' youngest bull elephant, also retired from a circus, and half brother to Sabu. The two bulls were fathered by Tunga, an Asian bull at Portland Zoo. Tunga was transferred to a circus facility after Sabu was born, and later sired Nicholas at that facility. Both Nicholas and Sabu performed in circuses when they were two years old. Nicholas was retired to PAWS when he was 13 years old, the first bull elephant at the ARK 2000 Sanctuary. Sabu, PAWS' second bull, arrived when Nicholas was 17. The two boys were close enough to see and communicate.

"It almost appeared that they knew they were related," Pat Derby, one of PAWS founders, commented. "It was obvious that they were communicating, although humans never hear the low frequency sounds that elephants use to gather information."

Sabu was beloved by all who worked with him. He was described by PAWS' elephant supervisor, Brian Busta, as a "big, beautiful boy who was gentle, very intelligent and a best friend."

A team of pathologists from the University of California Davis conducted Sabu's necropsy and preliminary results were reported as "severe arthritis in multiple joints."

PAWS' veterinarian, Dr. Jackie Gai, stated, "The degree of severity is what I would expect to see in a 50+ year old captive Asian. I think we were all surprised to see arthritis like this in someone so relatively young."

Tuy Hoa, Sabu's maternal grandmother at Portland Zoo, was reported to have died "very young from crippling arthritis."

Nancy Burnet, Director of Bob Barker's DJ&T Foundation which funded Sabu's barn, pool and habitat, wrote to Sabu's keepers, "The bigger tragedy would have been if he'd never made it to PAWS - you were Sabu's angels. . . Your constant love and kindness created a wonderful bond. . . How wonderful it worked out so that he spent his last year at PAWS, luxuriating in the relief his pond provided, and moving about freely."

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• asian elephant
• circus elephant
• Pat Derby
• PAWS
• Ringling Bros.
• Bob Barker
• elephant sanctuary

[HereIsMyTake911]

You folks should know what u are talking about b4 jumping onto the AR bandwagon !

Sabu has been in retirement for the last decade PLUS in a very nice place 2 boot!

Sabu was and has been managed in PC - and not kept on CHains !!

Maybe if he was FC - he would have been able to get better care!

Hands off PC is one of the reasons they couldn't get him up!!

And finally - I have set eyes in him personally within the last 4 -5 years and he was walking just FINE ..

Gotta just love how some i

[lovesmehorse]

Sabu was so lucky to have spent his last few years on this earth; in the great care of the PAWS team. The Ark was his heaven on this earth, now he is in heaven, he will be watching over all the other elephants, lucky enough to live at the Ark. God bless you Pat & Ed & all at the the Ark, for all that you do. Being able to give a little piece of heaven to those animals who have only experienced hell; is the greatest gift of all. R.I.P Sabu xx

[desertcafe]

Blessing and peace dear Sabu and much thanks to the people at PAWS for providing you with a loving home during the last years of your life.

[wirramirra26]

I am so very sorry to hear of Sabu's passing. May he rest in peace. Thank God he had some time at sanctuary with you all at PAWS!

[hollandlovesdogs]

beautiful tribute, in words, music and images

I love you Sabu, and the people at PAWS who saw to your love and care

[pionexx21]

Rest in peace Sabu, I hope that you felt a small piece of home at PAWS.

[mcoraje]

En Octubre 2011 tuvimos la oportunidad de conocer a Sabu.

Lamentamos mucho su partida y el corto tiempo que pudo disfrutar su libertad. Gracias Pat y Ed por el maravillosos trabajo que hacen.

Los circos que usan y abusan animales dbene desaparecer.

[11301920]

How sad that he had such a short time of freedom to roam and just be an elephant. RIP big boy.

[eventidesj]

What a beautiful video, thank's Pat and Ed for sharing this wonderful video, Sabu will never be forgotten.

[Ulysses61]

From a life of wretched abuse and neglect, at least Sabu knew 14 months of paradise. That is some solace for all of us. :) And bless Pat, Ed and Bob Barker for all they do.