09/27/2025
HEARTBREAKING LOSS OF GIANT ELAND UPDATE
As posted on Zoo Miami’s social media platform yesterday afternoon, Animal Science personnel at Zoo Miami immediately responded to a report that a giant eland was in distress on the habitat at approximately noon yesterday. Sadly, upon arrival, the animal was found to be deceased. It was then transported to the Animal Hospital compound where a thorough necropsy was performed to determine the cause of death.
Results of the necropsy indicated that the animal ingested a mass of hay that got caught in its esophagus and then aspirated that hay into its lungs, tragically resulting in its death. It was determined to be a freak accident that short of not allowing the consumption of its normal diet, was unpreventable.
The giant eland’s name was Emmy Lou, and she was a very special animal that has made invaluable contributions to the population of giant eland under human care. She was born at White Oak Conservation Center in Yulee, FL on September 14, 2011, and arrived at Zoo Miami on July 17, 2013. During her time at Zoo Miami, she has given birth to 6 calves, the most recent being a female that was born on September 8th. In addition, she has eight grandchildren, all born at Zoo Miami.
Giant eland are the world’s largest antelope with males often weighing over 2,000 pounds and females being a bit smaller. They are found in small areas of the savannahs and woodlands of Central Africa and are listed as vulnerable with the major threats being habitat destruction and hunting for their meat. They are tan to gray with thin white stripes on their flanks and are distinguished by large spiraling horns that are found in both sexes but are larger and thicker in the males. Zoo Miami is the only accredited zoo in the United States to exhibit these spectacular animals and has successfully produced 20 calves over the years.
Death is an inevitable part of the circle of life which often results in sadness. However, the unexpected death of an animal due to an unpreventable freak accident is particularly painful and the Zoo Miami family is feeling exceptionally sad about this heartbreaking loss.
📸: Katelin Franklin
