Tonka
African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) at
Knoxville Zoo in United States

Biography

☨ ♂ Tonka
Tonka. Knoxville Zoo 02/2008. Photo: © Amanda Pippin

Identification

SSP nr	163

Description
Species:	African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana)
Sex and age:	Male ♂ 45 years old
Body height:	3.14 meter, 10.3 feet
Body weight:	6818.18 kg, 15000.00 lbs
Origin
Born:	* 1979 wild
Birth place:
Capture:	1981
Imported:	1981 by International Animal Exchange (Ferndale)
Death
Dead:	†2024-05-08
Death reason:	euthanised: acute pain and swelling in his left front leg
Locations - owners
Present / last location:	Knoxville Zoo, in United States

Date of arrival

1981-03-10	Knoxville Zoo from International Animal Exchange (Ferndale)

1981-00-00	International Animal Exchange (Ferndale) from Kruger National Park

Record history
History of updates	2009-01-02: Image RE 2010-11-21: Height, Weight RE 2021-09-18: Importer International Animal Exchange (Ferndale) 2024-05-13: Updated as dead

Latest document update	2024-05-13 08:46:22

† Tonka is a dead Male ♂ African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana), , who died 2024-05-08 at Knoxville Zoo, in United States, . Official death reason described as acute pain and swelling in his left front leg.

Origin

Comments / pictures

In November 2010, it was announced that Tonka measured 10'4" at the shoulder and weighed 15000 pounds.

Reference list

References

Koehl, Dan, (2025). Tonka, African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) located at Knoxville Zoo in United States. Elephant Encyclopedia, available online retrieved 8 November 2025 at https://www.elephant.se/database2.php?elephant_id=1212. (archived at the Wayback machine)