Whether she’s happy or not is apparently up for debate. Happy, the famous Bronx Zoo Asian elephant, was recently spotted in public for the first time in nearly 10 weeks — and sparked concern from the ...

The star attraction of the Bronx Zoo hasn’t been seen since July. The zoo says she’s fine. Animal rights activists are not so sure. By Sarah Maslin Nir “Nothing is wrong with Happy.” The statement the ...

Happy was not just another zoo elephant. For scientists, she became one of the most important elephants ever studied. For animal advocates, she became a symbol in a growing debate about the treatment ...

Activists had sued in a bid to secure her the fundamental human right to bodily liberty. Zoo officials said she was well cared for and called the lawsuit frivolous. By Ed Shanahan Happy, a 55-year-old ...

Editor’s note: Happy the elephant was euthanized at the Bronx Zoo on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 after nearly 50 years in captivity following her capture from the wild in Thailand. The zoo cited age-related ...