Six Flags Discovery Kingdom elephant Taj dies

The oldest Asian elephant in North America - who patiently and gently gave rides to generations of Bay Area children - died Monday in Vallejo. She was 71.

Taj was among the most beloved animals at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, where she had been part of the animal crew for 33 years. She lived almost twice as long as the median life expectancy for Asian elephants, which are endangered.

"She was probably the most calm, agreeable elephant I've known in the 30 years I've been in this field," said Discovery Kingdom's director of animal care, Mike Muraco. "She was very aware of the size of her body, and she was extremely careful and gentle around people."

Taj was likely born in the jungles of Southeast Asia, but how she came to the United States is a mystery. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums lists her birth year as 1940, but no other records of Taj exist until 1970, when she began performing around the world with Circus Vargas.

Her next stint began in 1976 with the Hare Krishnas, who used her in religious ceremonies. Next came an animal training program in Southern California.

In 1978, she landed at Marine World in Redwood City, where her relaxed and friendly nature made her a park favorite. For years - and even after the park was moved to Vallejo and renamed - she performed daily shows stacking logs, playing tug-of-war with visitors and giving rides.

She was so calm, staff used her to teach beginning trainers.

Taj retired from show business a few years ago and, in recent weeks, began showing signs of her advanced age. She was slow to get up, slow to lie down, less eager to play and generally slowing down, Muraco said.

On Monday, staff arrived at her barn at 6 a.m. to find her standing unsteadily and breathing irregularly. They coaxed her to lie down, and, surrounded by her favorite trainers, the 7,700-pound giant slowly closed her eyes and died.

"It was sad and sweet," Muraco said. "You could see the relief in her eyes. She was done."

Taj's body is undergoing a necropsy at UC Davis.

Discovery Kingdom is closed for the season but encourages those who wish to honor Taj to donate to the International Elephant Foundation, P.O. Box 366, Azle, TX 76098.

This article appeared on page C - 2 of the San Francisco Chronicle