African elephant euthanized at Zoo Miami

MIAMI, July 5 (UPI) -- A 32-year-old African elephant living at Zoo Miami was euthanized after being unable to overcome pneumonia, officials said.

The elephant, Machito, had been suffering limb stiffness that turned into lethargy, weight loss and trouble breathing, WTVJ-TV, Miami, reported.

Machito was euthanized Wednesday after undergoing unsuccessful treatment, zoo officials said.

A necropsy found Machito was suffering from pneumonia, the Miami Herald reported. The pneumonia likely would have killed the elephant had he not been euthanized.

"This is the first elephant to die in the history of Zoo Miami and it has brought extreme sorrow to the zoo's staff and volunteers," said Ron Magill, the zoo's spokesman.

Machito arrived at Zoo Miami when he was a year old, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported.

The zoo is home to five other elephants, all who are more than 35 years old.