Dry moats
Between 1938 and 2009 at least 29 elephants died, or was euthanised due to accidents related to dry moats in elephant facilities. Dry moats were common during the 20th century, to separate elephants from the public, as well as keeping the elephants confined, both indoor and outdoor. Dry moats should not be built anymore, but some older elephants facilities still use them. Old deep dry moats with hard bottom are very risky, and elephants can fall down, either when searching for food, or when they fight. If a dry moat is used it should have soft bottom, dropdown < 1,5 meters, width > 2,4 meters, and ramp or gate access to enclosure. (Biology, medicine, and surgery of elephants, by Murray E. Fowler, Susan K. Mikota)


31 Deceased elephants due to falling into dry moats.
Name | Species Sex | Origin | Age | Birth | Death date | Death reason | Parents | Arrival Death location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
+ -Ranny (Rani)- | EM F | wild | 57 | 1952 | 2009-03-14 | accident fell in dry moat surrounding exhibit | x | 1958-07-30 Mexico City Zoo (Zoológico de Chapultepec) |
+ -Zambi (Jambi)- | LA F | wild | 44 | 1965 | 2009-03-09 | disease infection from injury; arthritis, after falling in dry moat | x | 1976-00-00 Mysore Zoo (Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens) |
+ -Annabel (Tessa)- | EM F | wild | 45 | 1964 | 2009-03-01 | euthanised fell in dry moat | x | 1966-05-20 Emmen Zoo |
+ -Bambi- | EM F | wild | 43 | 1962 | 2005-03-02 | accident ? fell into the dry moat? | x | Tunis Belvedere Zoo |
+ -Zimba II- | LA F | wild | 10 | 1985 | 1995-09-22 | accident fracture. fell inte dry moat? | x | 1986-10-17 Duisburg Zoo |
+ -Samorn- | EM F | wild | 44 | 1950 | 1994-10-10 | accident fell in the moat and died | x | 1991-11-17 Monarto Zoological Park |
+ -Bo Gyi- | EM M | captive-born | 1 | 1992-06-01 | 1993-07-01 | euthanised leg fracture after falling into dry moat | Nagathan (Naing Thein, Bully) x Yu Zin | 1992-06-01 Emmen Zoo |
+ -Carla- | LC F | wild | 13 | 1978 | 1991-03-18 | accident pushed in the dry moat by male Calimero | x | 1981-11-04 Rome Zoo (Bioparco - Giardino Zoologico di Roma) |
+ -Dombo- | EM F | wild | 39 | 1951 | 1990-04-00 | accident fell into the drymoat inside the stable | x | 1955-00-00 Berlin-Friedrichsfelde Tierpark |
+ -Tonga II- | LA F | wild | ? | 1989 | accident fell into the dry moat | x | Nuremberg Zoo (Tiergarten Nürnberg) | |
+ -McClean- | LA F | wild | 15 | 1971 | 1986-03-01 | killed knocked into moat | x | 1977-11-28 Los Angeles Zoo |
+ -Gbaya (NGbaya)- | LC F | wild | 27 | 1958 | 1985-08-19 | accident pushed into dry moat | x | 1961-09-11 Duisburg Zoo |
+ -Sari- | EM F | wild | 16 | 1967 | 1983-07-15 | accident fell into the dry moat | x | 1972-06-23 Magdeburg Zoo |
+ -Toto- | LA F | wild | 21 | 1959 | 1980 | accident fell in the dry moat | x | 1962-00-00 London Zoo |
+ -Jumbolino (Bubbles)- | LA M | wild | 17 | 1962 | 1979 | euthanised fell into the moat | x | 1964-08-00 Chester Zoo |
+ -noname- | EM M | captive-born | 0 | 1975-05-10 | 1975-12-02 | accident fell in dry moat | Packy x Me-Tu | 1975-05-10 Los Angeles Zoo |
+ -Ziggy (Herman)- | EM M | wild | 56 | 1919 | 1975-10-27 | accident fell into dry moat | x | 1936-07-28 Brookfield Zoo |
+ -miscarriage- | EM M | captive-born | 0 | 1974-10-28 | 1974-10-26 | miscarriage mother fell into the moat | Nobby x Sheba | 1974-10-26 Chester Zoo |
+ -Vally (Valli)- | EM F | wild | 24 | 1950 | 1974-09-01 | accident fell into dry moat | x | 1950-07-20 Whipsnade Wild Animal Park |
+ -Mohan (Gyro, Gyro-Moe)- | EM M | captive-born | 7 | 1960-05-12 | 1967-06-26 | killed knocked into moat by elephant | x | 1964-11-29 Calgary Zoo |
+ -Dicksie- | LA F | wild | 29 | 1938 | 1967 | accident fell in the dry moat | x | 1945-00-00 London Zoo |
+ -Frank- | EM M | wild | 11 | 1955 | 1966-09-15 | accident suffocation after he fell in the drymoat in outside enclosure | x | 1956-05-15 Aalborg Zoo (Aalborg Zoologiske Have) |
+ -Lollo- | EM F | wild | 16 | 1949 | 1965-10-30 | accident fell in the dry moat | x | 1962-05-22 Hannover Zoo |
+ -Pepik (Joe)- | EM M | wild | 9 | 1955 | 1964-01-00 | accident fell in the dry moat | x | 1956-10-06 Ostrava Zoo |
+ -Olympia- | EM F | wild | 34 | 1930 | 1964 | accident broke the neck after being pushed into the drymoat | x | 1963-00-00 Erfurt Zoo |
+ -Cilly- | EM F | wild | 36 | 1915-1920 | 1951-07-21 | accident pushed into the dry moat | x | 1942-04-19 Leipzig Zoo |
+ -Nancy- | EM F | wild | 31 | 1920 | 1951-01-19 | accident hanged by her chain in the dry moat | x | 1933-11-10 Brookfield Zoo |
+ -Nellie- | EM F | unknown | ? | 1949-05-21 | accident fell into the dry moat, broke her back | x | 1948-08-16 Taronga Zoo | |
+ -Kalifa II- | EM F | captive-born | 11 | 1928-09-20 | 1939 | disease foot trauma. iron nails on moat wall | Harry x Toni II (Mary) | 1928-09-20 Berlin Zoo |
+ -Bill- | EM M | wild | 9 | 1930 | 1939 | euthanised shot, fell in the dry moat, fracture | x | 1932-00-00 Prospect Park Zoo |
+ -Hilda- | EM F | wild | 8 | 1930 | 1938-09-08 | euthanised shot; knocked into dry moat by Bill | x | Prospect Park Zoo |