Meet
Thika

Thika (pronounced “Teeka”), an African elephant, was born on October 18, 1980, at the Toronto Zoo to mother Tequila and father Tantor. She lost her father in 1989 at just 20 years old and her mother in 2008 at age 38, breaking the natural bond female elephants share with their mothers for life. Thika had a younger sister, Tumpe, born three years later, but Tumpe was transferred to another zoo at age three.

In May 2011, the Toronto Zoo board voted to end its elephant program. Later that year, the Toronto City Council approved the transfer of Thika, Toka, and Iringa to PAWS. The three elephants arrived at ARK 2000 on October 20, 2013 (Iringa passed away in 2015).

Thika is the tallest off the African elephants, notable for her long legs. She is the only captive-born African elephant at the sanctuary. Thika and companion Mara can usually be found close together, whether foraging, taking a dust bath side by side, or peacefully resting.