The Tulsa Zoo announces the passing of Gunda, the Tulsa Zoo’s longest resident. Zoo staff had been offering her hospice care, as Gunda, at the age of 67, had displayed a natural decline in her health as a result of chronic, age-related issues. She passed away this morning, in her exhibit attended to by her caregivers.
Gunda was an iconic member of the zoo family since 1954. A favorite of zoo staff and visitors, her arrival in Tulsa was the result of a fortuitous event. The ship carrying her to the United States broke down in Bermuda. Children, anxious to see an elephant for the first time, boarded the ship and Gunda became a news sensation. During Gunda’s two week stay in Bermuda, she was dubbed “the most popular tourist of the year” by local media. The adventure inspired an illustrated a children’s book titled Ghunda’s Bermuda Holiday.
Her popularity followed her to Tulsa, where Gunda made appearances on Saturday mornings outside of different downtown stores for several months. Tulsans donated toward a “Keep Gunda Fund,” sponsored by the Junior Chamber of Commerce and Jaycees.