Raja leaving Saint Louis Zoo

After three decades at the Saint Louis Zoo, Raja the elephant will be relocated to help save his species from extinction.

Raja will join the Asian elephants at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, where he will have the opportunity to start a new family group with four females and mentor a young male.

The Saint Louis Zoo announced the move Thursday and shared it came upon the recommendation of the Association of Zoo and Aquarium's Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan (SSP).

“This news is bittersweet for all of us," Saint Louis Zoo Director Michael Macek said in a statement. "We know Raja is dear to his fans and to the Zoo family and he’ll be missed here, but we know this is for the best for Raja and the survival of this species. Thirty years of birthday celebrations is something that will live on in everyone’s memories.”
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