Taj, the painting elephant, dies

Jan 19, 2011, 19:37 GMT

San Francisco - Taj, a painting elephant who was believed to be the oldest pachyderm in North America, has died at the California theme park where she lived for 33 years.

The 71-year-old Asian elephant died Monday at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, just east of San Francisco, officials said.

Taj learned to paint in the 1990s. Holding a brush in her trunk, she would with the help of trainers dip it in paint and create abstract paintings on canvas, which were then auctioned off for charity.

'Taj was a remarkable elephant that touched millions of people over the course of her long life,' park President Dale Kaetzel said in a statement. 'We are truly in mourning for this loss; words cannot describe how our entire staff is feeling, in particular the elephant trainers who worked with her every day for years. She enjoyed a long and fruitful life, and in the 33 years she lived at our park, we all learned so much from her.'

Before she was retired about three years ago, she participated in the log demonstration show, stacking logs and playing tug-o-war with guests as part of her daily exercise routine.

'Taj is the kind of unique soul you hope to be lucky enough to encounter once in your lifetime,' said Nick Way, senior elephant trainer. 'She was patient and gentle; a role model for young elephants and young trainers alike.'

'Taj was special,' Way said. 'One of the sweetest elephants you'll ever meet in your life. She'll be infinitely missed.'