VALE – BONG SU

by Desmond Kelly

Further to the story on the “putting-down” of this beautiful elephant, by my good friend & co-member of eLanka, Victor Melder, which, hopefully, he sent in, c w photographs, and which has already been read by thousands of Lankan/Aussies, everywhere, I would simply like to add my condolences to all the caring Melbourne Zoo Staff who would be feeling the loss of this beloved bull-elephant who has been a “pet” resident of our superb Zoological Gardens since 1977.

I will not go into the details of the sad story, which all my readers will know about via eLanka & all the newspapers around Australia. Suffice to say that so soon, after the death of another old resident of the Zoo, Harare, the Lion, this happens. If it was “old-age”, I suppose, it wouldn’t be so bad. Everyone & everything must die at sometime. Nothing lasts forever, but as Victor & myself see it, we shouldn’t go grumbling about what is termed “Hot-Arthritis”, ever again.

Again, there is no need to bring this up, but the “Euthanasia-Question” comes to mind. “Hot-debates” are presently going on about this subject. Bong Su was euthanased because of severe arthritis. While, still very sad, there was absolutely no need for this huge animal to suffer “pain”anymore, so the excellent Vets at the Melbourne Zoo put him to sleep.

Just like any other animal, an elephant too suffers pain, cannot tell you what he is going through except if you look into those soft brown eyes. I will not go into the euthanasia-debate (for humans) but having had many adored pets that had to be “put down” myself, I cannot think of a more peaceful “way to go” , animals or humans. The only difference here are the varied complexities involved with “Human-Assisted-Dying”.
Like Victor, despite very severe handicaps because of a certain Mr.Arthur Itis, neither Victor or myself is quite ready to go yet. We have too much to do. Which brings me back finally to :-

“BONG SU, “Elephant-buddy”, we’re going to miss you
You were “the Aliya” of the old Melbourne Zoo
You were also a “Sire” of whom, we were all proud,
Many baby-Elephants, for crying out loud!
Your “Keepers”all loved you, still, you were in pain
You know, they tried everything, but all was in vain
So, they’ve now done the best, they could possibly do
Rest in “Elephant-heaven” now, dear BONG SU”.

Desmond Kelly
Star of eLanka.