Iringa the elephant, a former Toronto resident, has died

Iringa, one of three elephants who travelled from the Toronto Zoo to a new home at a California sanctuary in 2013, has died.

Iringa was born in 1969 in Mozambique and arrived at the Toronto Zoo in 1974. The elephant became a political issue in 2011, as animal welfare experts urged relocation of the pachyderms. 

A lengthy battle among the Toronto Zoo, city councillors and famous animal advocates like former Price Is Right host Bob Barker ensued.

Eventually, Iringa and her two companions Toka and Thika were shipped to the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Sanctuary in San Andreas, Calif..

PAWS said the 46-year-old Iringa was humanely euthanized Wednesday following a history of degenerative joint and foot disease.

"Iringa was special to us," PAWS president Ed Stewart said in a statement. "She enjoyed roaming the hills of the habitat and eating natural vegetation year-round. I'm very proud of the keeper and veterinary care we provided, along with the peaceful life we gave her at our sanctuary."

'We are filled with overwhelming sadness'

Toronto Zoo officials reminisced that Iringa was always fond of mentoring younger elephants. For instance, Iringa took a liking to Thika, who was born at the Toronto Zoo in 1980, and enjoyed spending time with the young elephant.

"While we are filled with overwhelming sadness we take comfort in the memories this spectacular elephant provided to our staff, volunteers, members and the millions of visitors who were fortunate enough to meet Iringa over the years," the Toronto Zoo said in a statement.

Wildlife Centre staff at the zoo say Iringa was also very clever, often trying to steal a bucket of treats from them.

It's estimated the average life span of an elephant can vary from 40 to 65 years.

Pathologists at U.S. Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital will perform a necropsy on Iringa's remains, the sanctuary said. 

Degenerative joint and foot disease is a leading cause for euthanizing elephants in captivity.