Hansa Memorial Page

I didn’t know about Hansa’s death until today – months later. Oh I am so sad. I am so sad for Chai and all the Zookeepers. I know that elephants are heartfelt animals and I can’t imagine how Chai is dealing with this. I wish I could speak elephant and let her know how sad for her we all are. It doesn’t matter if you are human or an elephant - an earlier death like Hansa’s is just unbearable. What sad and devastating news. Love, Paola

My name is Kenzie and I am 6 1/2, I was born 9 days before Baby Hansa. Baby Hansa was my favorite, favorite, favorite animal at the zoo. I was very sad when my Mom told me that Baby Hansa had died and I will miss her VERY much.

I love you Baby Hansa.

Dear Keepers,
Hansa was born the same year as my little brother and I enjoyed visiting her every chance I could to see how much she had grown. One time, when she was very little, we watched her climbing on some logs outside in the yard. Her mother was worried she might get hurt and kept nudging her to get down, but Hansa was having too much fun. Finally Chai couldn't bare it any longer and gently pushed Hansa off the logs!

We will miss watching Hansa playing in the water too!
Charlotte (8)

My name is Shiloh and I love elephants. I love all animals, but elephants in particular, and asian elephants specifically. I was so excited when Hansa was born at Woodland Park Zoo and liked going to the zoo as often as possible to see all the animals, but her in particular. I even have a framed photo I took of her a couple years ago. I moved to Alaska to go to college in fall 2005 and unfortunately haven't had the chance to go to the zoo since a few days before then, I remember she was looking so big and healthy! I'm in town now and this evening I was telling my brother that I'd like to go to the zoo and see Hansa. That's when he told me of her passing. I feel heartbroken and am all teared up at the thought of my dear little heffylump dying so young. It must have been a horrible shock to the people who took care of her and awful for Chai and the other elephants. I hope Chai is doing okay, maybe someday she'll have another baby. Hansa was so loved and I will miss her always.

I miss Hansa very much. She was a silly elephant. I liked to watch her do belly flops in the water. I like to watch the show Project Pachyderm about her birth and like to look at books about her and other elephants. I hope Chai is doing okay. Hansa was a very special baby. I thought she was so cute. I will miss her very much.

Thank you for taking good care of her while she was with you.

Dear Keepers,
As long standing zoo members we were deeply saddened to hear of Hansa's Passing. She was a well loved animal and well cared for. Please know you are in our thoughts and we offer our deepest sympathies to you at this time. We loved Hansa and have many an adorable photo of her as do so many others in the community. Thank you for your care of her and your love for the elephants and the many other animals at the zoo. We believe our zoo is a vital part of our community and an excellent resource for education.

Our child calls it "her zoo" when ever she refers to anything pertaining to the zoo. We started bring her as an infant and she amazes people when we bring them to the zoo about how much she knows about the different areas of the zoo and this is in part because of all the wonderful keepers we have who take the time to reach out and educate the visitors as they lovingly care for the animals in their charge.

Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to the animals you love so much. It was because of you that Hansa had a wonderful life and touched so many hearts in Seattle and worldwide.

Again, our thoughts are with you at this sad time. We hope Chai is doing well and we will be back to see her soon.

I will miss Hansa greatly as she was the main reason why I would go visit Woodland Park Zoo. I know that her keepers, especially Russ, will miss her greatly as well. Hansa had an upbeat spirit that was contagious. She seemed to bring life to the elephant barn that brought happiness to all that got to see her as well as the other elephants she lived with. I will pray that the veterinarians and other specialists will come up with a treatment for the rare virus that took Hansa's life. The treatment and care that Hansa had at Woodland Park Zoo was the best in the world. For people to question that without knowledge of what happened to Hansa is most unfortunate and should remind all of us not to rush to judgment.

Dear Zookeeper,
“ I love you very much Hansa. I am so sad that you are died. It is a great job for you to be in the elephant family. It is so important for you to stay alive, but I am so sad that you are dead. I love you very much. I am sad that you died. I want to be with you so much. It is important for you to be nice to your family and get baths. One time me and my grandma watched you play with the ball. I love you hansa very much. I love bamboo too. It is important for you to be in your family, but I know you aren’t going to be in your family again, because you are died.”

I really liked watching you take baths and we liked watching you play with the green ball and we liked watching you stand with your mom.

Thank you zookeeper for loving Hansa so much.”
Ashley-4 years old

I was heartbroken by Hansa's death. She was so very cute and happy each time I saw her. Whenever I see photos of her it reminds me of each time I saw her. I was crying like the whole day I heard.

It was with great sadness to learn why Hansa died today, but also a relief that it was not controllable. I have admired the elephant keepers (from afar of course!) for a decade; their love and skill with a special breed of animal is a gift to everyone in our community. Please extend my appreciation to all zoo staff who demonstrate passion and commitment every day, and especially on the hard days like this one.

My very special visit with Hansa

I went to the zoo one day to see our new baby elephant. It was during the week, not too crowded. I sat on the little benches that overlook the pond and saw the adult elephants standing around gossiping. And wondered . .where is baby Hansa?

Suddenly a little trunk stuck up through the water like a periscope and started moving around! I honestly didn’t know what it was at first - what is that stick? Then I realized - it’s our baby. Finally Hansa came all of the way out . . .ran around . . ran back toward the pond and did a belly flop into the water. Then she ran out again and tried to get the others to join in this outrageous fun. And finally under the water she went with her built-in periscope in the up position.

All this time . . I’m the only person witnessing this. No one else was around! Visitors came up to see the elephants, but not seeing the baby, took off. Little did they know, she was swimming underwater. What a special sight and experience for me. It was truly magical, as was Hansa.

I was heartbroken to hear of baby Hansa's passing. The world was such a beautiful place that day I saw her for the first time. She was perfect. I loved watching her running through the elephant barn, crashing into walls, crashing into her mother's legs, losing her balance and falling down. The wonders of elephant childhood! She forever remains a joy in my heart.

I am a college student in digital animation. I would like to share my feeling with you all for the death of Hansa the elephant. When I was a baby, my mom gave me a cute elephant doll that my uncle found outside. I save it at my home. Your grief on her influenced me and read elephant lovers' letters in web site and the newspapers. That reason I feel like Hansa is my elephant doll. Although Hansa passed away last June 8Th, I strongly believe that all of the animals, including her, will have the immortality in heaven. Also, they should have eternal lives because they have no responsibilities during their earth lives. I understand you all miss her so much. I think you should enjoy watching or petting other elephants because you will feel good to look at living elephants that was as Hansa's life. I love to watch the animals and the insects on TV and the movies and pet some of them since I was a kid. I hope you will be relieved from my letter and be good to take care of the animals in zoo or your home.

I am saddened by the news of your passing. All elephants go to heaven, so you are in a better place.
I will always remember the TV shows of your birth and first days. I thought you were the cutest animal I had ever seen. Elephants are noble creatures. You were truly a princess of joy and happiness. I miss you.

Dear Zoo Staff,
My six-year old daughter, Emily, and I drove to the south entrance of the zoo on the evening after Hansa's death. We'd heard on the radio, along with the sad news, that we could leave a memorial at the South Gate. My daughter had paid many visits to Hansa and her family in the years after both Hansa and my daughter came into this world, and my daughter grew up feeling a real kinship to Hansa. My daughter chose flowers from our garden to make a bouquet for the zoo staff, thinking especially of the elephant keepers, and we left it along with a note from Emily to the staff. In the days since, she sometimes will tell me that her "heart feels torn apart" by this loss. I know that you are enduring grief from this loss, too. Please know how much it has meant to us to be able to connect with these ambassadors from the world of wild and endangered elephants.

I miss you Hansa. You and I were born on the exact same day - November 3, 2000. So I always wanted to see you when we went to the zoo. It won't be the same there without you.

Long before Hansa was born I told all my friends that she would be born on my birthday. Once November came they told me that I was wrong. The morning of 3 Nov we were driving to the zoo as we always do on my birthday when Hansa birth was announced on the radio. My little elephant and I shared a birthday. I saw her often and always celebrated Nov 3rd with her. Since I am over fifty I never thought I would celebrate a birthday without my little elephant. I watched all her videos like the first trip outside and her first snow. I have her mouse pad, book and her poster. She was very special and it is hard to image the zoo without her. I would like to buy a DVD of her video collection if one is available.

I saw Hansa when she was so little, she could fit under her mother's belly. They were in the shallow water and she kept slipping under her mother's belly as she explored her surroundings. She was so fresh and new. You could tell she'd been rollling in the grass because the hair on her back and head stuck straight up and was green! She was so full of life and hope. Her mother was eating carrots a keeper was throwing into the water. Hansa didn't know how to use her trunk for picking things up so she was trying to copy her mother. She'd fling her trunk back after dipping it in the water and wap herself on her head. She was so adorable. That day she didn't get a single carrot but you could tell she was determined to figure that secret out. Over the years, I've looked forward to the special moment in my visit when I'd see her again. I would gauge how much she had grown, how closely she stayed to her mother, how she related to the other elephants. My heart is saddened by the prospect of not seeing her again. I loved to see her play in the water. She's a good lesson on how short life really is and how we need to live each day as if it is our last. I feel blessed to have witnessed her growth and that she was part of my life for a short time. I cry big elephant tears in mourning.

Elephants have been my favorite animals for 50 years.
Hansa did not cause me to love elephants.
However, because of Hansa we became Zoo members, so:
If Hansa had not been born, I would never have known that there are kangaroos who live in trees.
I would not have been delighted by the cuddly, cute Matschie's Tree Kangaroos, or concerned about their habitat.
Tree Kangaroos are my second favorite animal!
If Hansa had not been born, I would not have marveled over tiny frogs in shades of bright yellow, orange and blue, so perfect that they look like china toys.
Rain forest Frogs are my second favorite animal!
If Hansa had not been born, I would never have seen Tapirs or laughed at their long faces that resemble the faces of our children's Cabbage Patch Ponies. I would have missed hearing their odd voices.
Tapirs are my second favorite animal!
If Hansa had not been born, I would have missed knowing about Sun Bears and Sloth Bears. How dull my experience of bears would have been.
Asian Bears are my second favorite animal!
If Hansa had not been born, I would never have stood eyeball to eyeball with a lizard so large he is called a dragon.
Komodo Dragons are not my second favorite animal!
If Hansa had not been born, I might never have gone to see wild Bald Eagles on the Skagit River.
Eagles are my second favorite animal!
If Hansa had not been born, I would not have seen Colobus Monkeys with fantastic black and white tails.
Colobus Monkeys are my second favorite animal!
If Hansa had not been born, Siamangs, Snow Leopards, River Otters, Lemurs, Asian Cranes and Gorillas would have been characters in books and TV nature shows instead of animals I have experienced in person.
Arctic Fox and Jaguars would have eluded me. Red Pandas and Patas Monkeys would have never entered my life.
My only second favorite animal would be the Mariner Moose!

Hansa, you added such beauty and joy to the zoo.
I remember seeing you when we moved here from California and I was so happy to see you.
You will be missed.

just learned of Hansa's death while reading The Seattle Times online. I've been living in Florida for the past 3 years. I was born and raised in South Florida, but I lived in Seattle for 36 years. One of the finest times I ever had in Seattle was a trip to the zoo to "meet" Hansa. Like most folks, I fell in love with her. I have nice photos of Hansa, her mother, and her aunt. I was forced to leave Seatte for health reasons, but I hope to return. I had been looking forward to a return visit to see Hansa. I weep as I write this. This is a personal loss for so many people, including me. May her sweet soul rest in eternal peace. And may God bless her keepers and human friends.

Meeting Hansa for the first time was sorta like meeting my daughter when she was born: some trepidation about the unknown, but a tremendous amount of excitement to know I was going to see young (newish) life, that of such a young elephant. I admired how quickly Hansa seemed to figure out the pecking order, how she modeled her steps after her mother's, watching Hansa tuck under her mother's trunk for a little snug. Having myself a young child, I marveled at how regardless of species, the parent-child bond, the idea of "family", is universal.

Our family will miss her! But thank you Woodland Park Zoo for providing us the opportunity to get to know her.

Hansa--
We will miss you today. I will miss you because once she go away from the zoo. She was very, very nice.
Rafi, age 3

Dear Hansa:
We'll miss you a lot. I first met you when we first moved to Seattle in 2001. You are one of the greatest elephants in the world, because you were so playful and nice. My visits to the zoo were all about going to see you, Hansa. My mom and dad would chase after me, as I ran way ahead to see your trunk and big eyes. I will miss you.
Raina , age 8

My family was deeply saddened to hear that Hansa had died. We remember the day she was born, our first visit to see her just days after her birth, and the many times we visited all the elephants on our regular trips to the zoo. We hope you find out what happened to her so that you may find peace.
The Woodland Park Zoo is one of the best zoos in the world and we appreciate all that you do for animal preservation and community education. Thank you!
Hansa, we miss you!

What a beautiful gift from God Hansa was. The pain from of her loss is immeasurable. She gave us all so much joy. Having her to watch was a wonderful distraction from the workday, her innocence and playfulness brought out the child in all of us. The memorial page will allow us to enjoy her beautiful playful spirit and live on in our hearts and memories for years to come. Even though her life was so brief she touched the lives of many, she will be greatly missed and with a heavy heart I say I love you Hansa, I hope we meet again someday.

Thank you Hansa for 6 wonderful years of visits with our grandsons. We always had to go to see you first. You will be remembered with much love and affection.
To Chai, Watoto and Bamboo and all who cared for Hansa, we feel your pain.

I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss of our little Hansa. Our daughter was born 4 months before Hansa and I felt like she grew up with her. Before she started school, we went to the zoo almost three times a week and I still have vivid memories of our daughter belly laughing each time Hansa played with her ball or tried to imitate her mum and aunties, or played with the spray from the water hose in the barn. My tears are not just from losing Hansa, but that she gave my daughter and our family many wonderful memories. Thank you Hansa, you will never be forgotten in this home.
Our thoughts go out to Chai, Bamboo, Watoto and the entire WPZ family.

I just returned to Seattle from an extended trip, and learned the news of Hansa’s passing. I wanted to express my condolences to everyone within the zoo family, you must be so heartbroken. I am also deeply saddened for Chia, and the other elephants at the park. Having watched documentaries about the incredible bond between elephants, I am sure that the entire family is in mourning. Hopefully the reason for Hansa’s passing will be discovered and steps can be taken to make sure that nothing like this happens again. Perhaps someday everyone in Seattle will again be able to witness the birth of a baby elephant, and watch it grow towards maturing.

My sympathy to the wonderful staff at the Woodland Park Zoo on the death of dear Hansa. Thank you to the zoo administration for standing up to the animal rights groups that want to threaten our beautiful elephant exhibit and blame our keepers for this tragedy!!!

As a long-time member of the zoo (I still remember Wide Awake) and donor, I too, cried over the death of Hansa. She was a most charming gift from Chai and Mother Nature and will be sadly missed, One could watch her for hours, especially when she was "new". The pride of the zoo and a real treasure!

I remember waiting impatiently for Hansa's birth. She brought such joy and laughter to so many. I can't imagine how hard it must be on all of you. I will cherish the memories I have of her. Thank you for sharing her with us, for all the love and support you gave her. I will never forget her. God bless her now and always.

Hansa will be missed by all who knew her. I have to fight back the tears every time I think of her being gone. My thoughts and prayers are with Chai, Watoto, Bamboo, and all who cared for Hansa during her brief life.

This beautiful elephant was born about the time my daughters were. Daughters died. Hansa was so innocent and playful- full of joy. I could laugh with her when she was chasing her ball or crows. I could feel excited for her as she learned elephant ways, such as throwing dirt on her back, in imitation of her elders (though not always on target)...I could enjoy her babiness when other, human babies were too painful to look at. I loved taking my more recently born baby to visit her.

I really miss you! We shared a birthday except I was 3 years older than you. It was fun when I got to feed you. Poor Chai she must be very sad.

That is very sad that your elephant Hansa died. I love the woodland park zoo alot and even though monkeys are my favorite animal, I still love the elephants too. I don't go to the zoo very often because I don't get much time. So, even if I don't know who Hansa was and is, in our hearts, I still hang my head in hearing that a animal died. People at the zoo have known her all her life so it must be sad to lose her. I'm so very sorry and I'll do whatever I can to help. And I'll get in as many donations as I can give. It might be strange to hear this from a little 9 year old but I can really do all that I'm saying I can do.

Hansa I miss you. I'm sorry you died.

Bobo age 5

Thank you for making me feel like an important part of the zoo family. WE LOVE THE ZOO!!!!

Oh what a lost!!!
We are members and also neighbors of the zoo. We celebrated our son’s 4rth birthday at the Zoo last February. He loves going in the afternoons “to see the baby elephant”, like he says. We would go every week just to see Hansa.
I don’t know exactly how to explain to him the reason for her absence…. I guess we’ll have to tell him the truth! This will be the first time that we’ll talk about death with him and what passed away means.
We are so very sorry! I hope the elephants caregivers know how great they are and the wonderful job they did since the baby elephant arrived to our lives.
Please receive our condolence. We’ll always remember Hansa, our baby elephant!!!!

I still cry over the premature departure of our beloved Hansa. Tears still fall at the most unexpected moments and I feel a deep ache when I think about what we really lost on June 8th. My only comfort is I know without any doubt that she was loved and cared for at Woodland Park Zoo. I can only imagine the great heart ache her caregivers are feeling at this time and I want them to know they have my admiration for what they do. My own personal legacy to Hansa is when she was born I was listening to Ciscoe Morris on the radio talking about roses, he recommended Rosa Rugosa. I headed to the nursery for some rose bushes and when I got there they had 3 Rosa Rugosa HANSA’s, I bought them all! I now have three of the most beautiful and prolific rose bushes in my back yard; one yellow, one melon and one wine colored. They have become even more special with Hansa’s passing and I like to think I still have a tiny piece of that wonderful ‘supremely happy’ short life. As a mother, my heart also aches for Chai, I would love nothing more than to wrap my arms around her (leg maybe) and just tell her know how much she is loved for what she gave us and how sorry we are for what she lost. To the staff of WPZ, I wish you peace knowing you do great things. God keep you Hansa, Bless you Chai and family, and Comfort your Caregivers. Most sincerely and with love.

Our family is saddened by the unexpected passing of Hansa. Our kids are zoo lovers, especially our 5 year old son. We send our thoughts and prayers to the zoo staff and the many people who are saddened by his death. Our kids say "Dear Hansa: Why did you die? That is my question. I love coming to the zoo and I will miss you." and "Dear Little Elephant - we will miss you.”

Hansa, you were captivated by my grandson Hunter's stroller. Hunter, the baby boy, was wheeled up close to you and your Mom. You liked looking at the baby boy sitting there. The baby boy reached for you; you showed your trunk to him, tossing it in the air and "blowing". You pranced a little while the baby boy drew his entire infant body as far as he could toward you. At full stretch, the baby reached his tiny hands toward you. You seemed to know that you had the baby's attention. You created your own baby elephant dance, weaving around your Mom and at times heading for the stroller, then back to your Mom, then tossing random bits and pieces from the ground with your trunk. Your eyes glistened and your Mom appeared proud and protective. You delighted the baby boy and other children who were drawn into your play. We will miss you, Hansa, and always remember the pleasure that you brought to even the tiniest child.

Dear Zoo Family, We are so sorry for the loss of Baby Hansa. My son was born just before Baby Hansa and I brought him to the zoo to see the new elephant. I have often brought my children since to visit with the elephants but especially the baby. Again we are very sorry and know that she was very well cared for and loved by her family. Thank you so much for the wonderful memories that we will always cherish.

Hansa and our Grandson, Theo, were born within days of each other and we feel as if we have lost one of the family. We visited Hansa and her family often. We will miss her.

Dear Zoo Family,
I just wanted to express how sorry my family was to hear the sad news about Hansa's death. I was particularly hard hit by the news because we lost our infant son in October, so I felt a kinship with Chai. Also, we've spent countless hours at the zoo with our young daughter and she loves all of the elephants. She's not old enough to understand what happened to Hansa, but she knows that she will not be able to see the "baby elephant" anymore. To all the keepers and staff, and on behalf of our family: please accept our deepest condolences. Also, please kiss the other elephants for us as I'm sure they are experiencing grief in their own way.

I miss our baby Hansa. Thank you, WPZ for sharing her with us.

Our family loved catching glimpes of Hansa on our visits to the zoo. Thank you for sharing her with us and this community. We are so very sorry and our thoughts and prayers are with all of you that knew her "in person and up close". We have many photos of her in our collection as she grew... playing with her big blue ball and getting baths from her keepers. We will miss her! Thank you for taking such top notch care of her and her fellow elephants and providing us (the community) with such a treat whenever we visit Woodland Park Zoo.

My boyfriend called me the day Hansa's death was announced. We are zoo members and have loved Hansa since we knew she had been conceived. We felt our sweet friend's death deeply and we knew how her death would impact those closest to her at the zoo. I arrived at the Zoo that afternoon with a sunflower and bunches of bananas to contribute to a memorial for Hansa. Nothing was set up at that point but I witnessed the great sadness of Zoo employees I spoke with. We offer our sincere condolences to everyone at Woodland Park. She has a place in my heart always and I am hoping a permanent memorial will be created for Hansa. I also hope we will have another baby elephant at the Zoo to bring the hope and promise Hansa represented for our community.

Little one, you will be missed.

Right now I am so stunned and saddened by this news that I'm nearly lost for words. Hansa was a wonderful girl, a beautiful elephant! Always playful, always joyful! I'm very sad right now. My condolences go out to her care givers. Hours spent with her brightened so many of my days. I guess I'm most struck by the un timeliness of her death. So many young elephants die in captivity. More often African elephants, but Asian as well. Just in my experience alone, this is the 7th or 8th elephant that I have been touched by, that has passed away very young. That seems like a giant number that should be of utmost concern. Clearly there are crucial elements we are missing, that contribute to this tragedy! We don't at this point know exactly why she died, but it seems that we should take this as further reason to examine more closely than ever what can be done to avoid this from happening in the future. I know that death is part of life, but the continual un timely nature of so many young elephant deaths is unacceptable. I hope that Hansa will be a beacon for reversing this dreadful trend. I miss her.

Dear Hansa,

We knew that you were special
The second you appeared.
Heaven knew this too and so
You were taken from us here.

We will find comfort in knowing
You are in a special place.
In heaven, in so many hearts,
Immortal is your face.

May your passing serve a purpose
A purpose as special as you.
To remind us to strive for peace, love and happiness
So one day we can we can be there with you.

Until then...
We love and miss you sweetheart.

We moved to Seattle one month after Hansa was born when our twins were only 1 year old. They and their little sister (who was born exactly 3 years after Hansa) have watched Hansa grow up (although they noticed she grew much faster than they did!). The elephant forest was always the first place they wanted to go when we got to the zoo and we always had to make another visit on the way home. Thank you for caring for Hansa and sharing her with us. We will miss her!

For several years my husband, Eric, was known as the "Elephant Man" among the docents at WPZ. He volunteered over 1,000 hours as a docent and I'm willing to bet at least 900 of those hours were with the elephant cart sharing his love for those wonderful creatures with young and old alike. He was actually going to be "on watch" at the elephant barn the night Chai went into labor and felt like Hansa was nearly one of his own children. Eric passed away in September of 2005.

I was so saddened when I learned of Hansa's death. Eric would surely have grieved. However, the poet Billy Collins once suggested heaven might be what we dream it to be. If that is the case, Eric is out walking with Hansa in the presence of a vast herd of elephants in a grassy field lined with lush, leafy trees and an inexhaustible carrot patch in the northwest corner. They are kicking a very large ball back and forth between them. Eric is smoking his pipe and Hansa is occasionally reaching in his pocket to inhale the rich pipe tobacco aroma all the elephants seemed to like so well.

This is my dream for them both. I'm sure each of the keepers and the entire WPZ staff have a dream of heaven for Hansa. She inspired many of us to dream when she was born and certainly deserves our best dreams of elephant heaven with her unexpected passing.

Simply keep up the good work! my daughter and i have grown so much closer over the last two years thanks to our visits to you zoo! may all families (of man and animal) be more closely united due to the woodland park zoo!!! my condolescenses to all the staff who suffer and share the heartache.

I was deeply saddened by the news of Hansa's passing. What joy she brought to us with each visit to the zoo. Over the years, we have seen her many times. We have adorable footage of her on my daughter's 2nd birthday zoo trip (6 years ago) in which we caught her running back and forth under her mother's tummy, she must have been just over 6 months old at that time. She was too precious. Our Thoughts and Prayers are with her keepers and the other elephant's that are also affected by this loss - her family. May peace be with you at this time.

Dear Hansa,
You will always be loved and missed. We have loved you since day one (and came to see you on day two!) You have grown up with my boys, and they will cherish the memories they have of you. I have been an elephant lover ever since I can remember, with an extensive collection to prove it. I believe that an elephant is the most gracious and gentle animal on earth, and you were the most beautiful I have ever seen. So, as you make your way and journey through heaven...know that you will always be in our hearts, souls, and memories.

My heart goes out to Hansa's staff -- I was so fortunate to be there just hours after she was born; a special "donor" tour to see the snow leopard kittens (wonderful!), but the baby elephant was born so we eagerly went to see her. She hadn't yet figured out how to latch onto her mom's breast! We watched as the keeper placed the newly-built wooden lift to raise her higher, and kept trying to steer her mouth to the breast -- instead, she would ALMOST make it but would then track her human's arm with her trunk, back back to his body, "oh hello there!!" He would try again and again to steer her to the breast, but she kept following his arm back... So amusing and charming and endearing and I was infatuated with her from that moment on.
The keeper's wife was with us, and she joked that the men on Hansa's "birth" staff were more focused on Chai's pregnancy and delivery than they were with their own kids!
I bought the Channel 5 Jean Enerson coverage videotape for my whole family, and we've been keeping up with Hansa ever sense. We join all of Seattle in our sorrow for the loss of our little elephant.

I am very saddened by the unexpected death of Hansa and would like to extend my sincerest sympathies to all those people whose lives Hansa touched. I would especially like to extend my thoughts to the staff, volunteers and the elephant family at the Woodland Park Zoo who worked with, lived with and cared for Hansa. I can only imagine how great your loss is.
I have a passion for animals and in particular elephants and I was so excited to learn about the birth of Hansa on November 3rd - also my birthday! I watched all her videos and tracked her growth and progress through Woodland Park Zoo's great website. I told friends and family about "my elephant" and named a Cancer fundraising team "Hansa's Herd". I felt a special connection with Hansa and adopted her in my heart.
Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to know Hansa as well as I would have liked. I planned a trip to see her just after her first birthday. It was a cold day so she was in her indoor pen. I just sat and watched her, she was just so sweet.
Hansa, your sudden death is a terrible tragedy. You hold a very dear place in my heart and you will be greatly missed.

We have been members of WPZ since my daughter was an infant, she will be turning 11 in a week. When we learned of Hansa's death...we cried.
She was like a friend whom you may only seen 4 or 5 times a year but she always made you laugh and you left with a smile. She made you feel that all is OK in the world.
This may sound funny, but Hansa's name was spoken almost daily in our house. My daughter has a very bad habit of taking extra long showers and each morning I'd rap on the bathroom door and inquire as to when she and Hansa might be done showering. Hansa was a delight to all that knew her and her death has left such a void. My heart goes out to all that loved her.

I’m sorry for the loss of that beautiful animal. I remember seeing the video of her when she was younger.....she played and frolic like any child toddler would. She was so fun to watch; so human.

Hello,

I've written an essay, reflecting on the life of Hansa, and the impact of her death upon Chai. You can find it at http://zonefamily.blogspot.com/2007/06/to-chai-mother-of-hansa.html and I've also attached it below.

Thank you.

Hansa was only a baby elephant when i was 3 yrs. old. Now 1 year ago she was still alive. 1 year later she is dead=(. I used to always come and see her do stuff. I had a lot of fun watching. Too bad that she is dead now and i cannot see her anymore.

Dear Hansa, You will be truly missed. I was born 3 weeks after you and was always reminded that we were the same age. When my mom was pregnant with me, my grandma told her that even elephants are having babies…when are you going to have one. I’m sad that you had to go to heaven so early in life. I will miss visiting you.

I remember the first time i heard that a new baby elephant was born at the zoo. I was so excited to go visit Hansa. I grew up around the zoo. I was 12 when Hansa was born and now at the age 18 i feel sadden at her death. I feel like a piece of me died with that news. Hansa was the first thing i would always go visit and probably the animal that i would spend the most time with and pictures. The zoo wont be the same now without Hansa. I give my wishes to the elephant staff. I cant imagine how they must be feeling. Hansa will always be loved.

I remember taking my children to the zoo when Hansa was born. We were all so excited. They were giving the elephants baths and there was a small yellow tub that Hansa backed into and couldn't get out of for a few minutes. She was so cute and fun. We were so happy to watch her grow up. And now, so saddened by her passing. Our hearts go out to the keepers and, of course, her elephant family.

Hansa was such a beautiful girl that we made a special point to visit every time we came to the zoo. She will be missed longer than she was with us. May she rest in peace.

We are so sad at the passing of little baby Hansa. My family's favorite family outing is to go to the Zoo. My personal favorite has been and will contine to be the elephants. They have such a calming effect on me. That twinkle in their eyes also provides a giggle. A big hug from our family to all those who have ever been touched by the elephants at the Zoo.

I really appreciated the Hansa Memorial page. I was saddened to hear about Hansa's death, and I was not aware how much she affected the community.

When I got home the day Hansa died and I heard the news on the TV, I felt like a member of my family had died. She was born on November 3, the same date as both my mother and my son. So it was easy to track how old she was because we always remembered her on that day. She was born just a few months after we moved to Seattle, and we waited with the rest of the city through much of Chai's pregnancy. When she was born we gasped when we saw the tiny trunk move and we smiled at her antics as she grew up. We will miss our zoo baby very much. I know that those of you who worked with her every day did everything you could to give her a good, quality life. I can only imagine how hard this is for you all to bear, knowing how hard the news hit me. Rest in peace, dear little one.

My heart is with Chai and the zookeepers. I moved to Seattle two years ago. I've been to the zoo a few times now, and each time, I started on the wrong end and ended up being too tired to head down to the elephant exhibit. I kept saying, "Oh, I'll go next weekend." Well, I lost my chance to see this wonderful unique being. Please, please, people, make the time to go before it's too late. You're missing far too much.

Hansa was a whirlwind of excitement and hope. It is not the years of her life that I will remember her by, but the life in her years. As a volunteer of the Woodland Park Zoo I am grateful to all of the zoo staff that have educated me and allowed me to work along side them. They are a dedicated group of professionals who care about the members of their zoo family.

Thank you for the thoughtful message. Our hearts also go out to YOU, the employees of the zoo as you field mixed reactions to handling such difficult and emotional circumstances. We support the zoo. We loved Hansa. My son is six so Chai and I were pregnant together. (Though poor Chai had the far longer/heavier pregnancy!) We felt a bond with Hansa and Chai in that process and I recall taking my son to see the baby elephant. She was dear and will continue to run and play in our heart and fond memories. Healing wishes to all of you as you work through this time. Thank you for reaching out to your community!

I am very sorry for your loss. Hansa was a beautiful elephant. I wanted to share a touching story with you.

I am a preschool teacher and this week we are learning about wild animals. Every time we have talked about elephants one of the boys in my class mentions Hansa and how she was just a baby elephant. Yesterday morning the kids were building a zoo in the block area and when they were putting all the animals in their habitats this little boy picked up one of the smaller elephants and set it up on the shelf. He then told his friends, " This is baby Hansa and this shelf is heaven. It's real, not part of the game."

It was so touching to see him explain it to his friends. I thought I'd share it with you to let you know that Hansa is in all our thoughts.

I have been bringing my 2 1/2-year-old twins to see Hansa since they were about 10 months old. "Elephant" was the first thing they learned to sign, and even though they are using verbal words now instead of signs, they still use sign language when referring to an elephant. We will miss Hansa, as will thousands of others. Those of you who cared for her, along with the other elephants, are in our thoughts and prayers.

Thank you for the nice email; I sent my condolences last Friday, and visited the Zoo on Saturday to leave a pretty plant that will hopefully make Hansa happy when she sees it from heaven. This is truly SO sad for everyone; I know all of Seattle is in mourning. Hopefully the Zoo can put up a permanent memorial or statue or something in her memory.

I am terribly saddened by Hansa's death. I remember seeing her after she was born and my family will miss her so much.

We watched you grow
With awe, you know.
You pushed the ball,
While getting tall.
A feisty little girl,
Who loved to twirl.
You were a joy to watch,
I, would have loved to have touched.
So sleep well little one,
And a thousand thanks for the fun.

I'm still in shock and grief and am dealing with this, so I can only imagine how those who worked with her on a daily or routine basis feel. I used to take great pleasure in buzzing over the zoo on my lunch hour just for a quick Hansa visit. The shear joy this little one expressed was infectious -- and what love we (her elephant family, staff, and public) had and have for her.

If I had an elephant trunk, I'd wrap it around you all.

BTW, I'd dearly love to get a copy of the pictures you've posted.
Particularly of the one with her and Chai in the pool. Is this possible?

One time I visited, I got to sit and enjoy the two of them frolicking in the water. Chai impressed me generally as a worried and nervous mom, until she got into the pool with her daughter -- then she was so relaxed and looked as if she too was having fun.

Thanks for posting this site and for the message. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to visit the zoo in the next few months due to how I feel about Hansa's passing right now, but this certainly will help toward the healing process.

We are sad to hear the news of Hansa's passing. We know that the Woodland Park Zoo is a caring and safe place for all animals and can only imagine how sad the staff must be. I was pregnant at the same time as Chai and our daughters were born a few days apart. We have always had a special place in our hearts for Hansa. Our thoughts are with the elephant keepers, staff and all that loved Hansa.

My heart goes out to all of you that helped raise Hansa, she is out of her discomfort but I pray for all of you to heal. She was a wonderful member of the zoo family and I will miss her silliness very much. I had family from out of town last year that were blessed to see her in action one day.
Thank you Hansa for all you did to brighten our days....we will miss you terribly.
RIP Hansa,

I am sure you guys were devastated to find Hansa dead. I don't believe there was anything wrong with her habitat or her care, and I think most people know how good you guys are. Please know we sympathize with and support you all, and appreciate how good a job you do there.

I can't begin to express my grief over Hansa's death. The little elephant held special significance to me (as she did to many others). When she was born in 2000, I was going through chemotherapy for breast cancer. As part of my healing therapy I visited the zoo at least once a week to watch the endearing antics of little Hansa. She gave me hope and courage and made me laugh. I always felt better after leaving the zoo. As a result of my affection, I adopted Hansa as my spirit animal and many friends and family members started giving me elephant figurines. I now have around 50. I also sewed by hand an elephant quilt that shows Hansa next to Chai. The quilt took about a year to finish and now hangs in my studio.

I am so saddened by this loss I have been crying all morning. Hansa brought joy and supreme happiness to many people and I hope she's frolicking in elephant heaven. I am now battling my second round of cancer and wish I could visit her again.

My deepest condolences for all the staff at the zoo who I know share my grief.

It has taken this long for me to be able to write about how I loved, and will miss Hansa. I was there for days watching Chai and her big belly, I own the tape of the birth, I love the keepers and their sharing of stories . . . I never could have imagined this ending.

Is there anyway someone could let me know how Chai and the other elephants are doing? How have they been helped thru this?

WE ALL LOVED YOU HANSA! I am so sad that Hansa the elephant died. When I found out I just stopped the TV, walked around the room and the rewound it and watched it again. I couldn’t believe it. She was such a great elephant and I loved her so much! She was so much fun to watch when she played in the water with her mother. I even remember when we came and it was one of the really hot days in the summer. Hansa was out of the water and her mother and the keeper were both trying to coax her in. They tried food, balls, everything and then just as we were about to leave she got in. I was so excited! I work at the contact area and I have no idea what it would be like to loose one of the goats let alone an elephant that you have worked with your whole life. I send my sympathy to the keepers in the elephant barn and all the other elephants but especially Hansa’s mother Chai.

I'd just like to add my condolences to the hundreds already received. My heart goes out to those who loved Hansa the most: her mother Chai, her "aunties", her caregivers and keepers, and the entire Woodland Park Zoo family. As deep a blow as this has been to the greater NW community, I know it has really been so difficult for Hansa's family. When I read the news, I just wanted so to reach out and put my arms around Chai and comfort her. But I know the greater arms of Love are encircling all of Hansa's family and comforting them.

Hansa will be remembered with smiles and great joy, because that's what she brought to all of us. Her comical romps, her frisky ways, her energy and vitality... what great gifts to share. She drew a community and a greater family to her.

I feel in some ways like an "auntie" to Hansa. Many years ago, I was present at SeaTac airport when Thai Airways brought little Chai from Thailand, and presented her to the city of Seattle. I watched her grow, and always felt a connection. And, as luck would have it, I happened to be walking at Woodland Park, right by the zoo, on the day Hansa arrived. We knew something was up with all the news trucks, and the fact that the Zoo personnel "could not confirm" anything. We knew it was the day!

I'll continue to always think fondly of little Hansa and the joy she brought to so many. My deep appreciation to her keepers and caregivers for all their wonderful care.

Oh I was so sad to hear of Hansa's parting and am sending thoughts to all who cared for her.

" We who choose to surround ourselves with lives more temporary than our own live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached.

Unable to accept it's awful gaps, we still would live no other way.
We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan.
From "The Once Again Prince" by Irving Townsend

Pleas could you let us know why this happened as it was so sudden.
Thank-you and peace.

I was so sorry to hear she was dead. I couldn't believe it. She was 6 years old and she was dead. When my dad showed me Hansa I felt very, very, very, very, sad. I felt like I was going to cry. I have a toy elephant and my whole family petted it and wished something about Hansa that will come true. I am 6 years old, too. When I was a baby Hansa came over to me and put her trunk on the glass. She was very, very, nice to me. She is the cutest thing. I am sorry that she is dead. She is so, so, so nice.

i am sorry to hear that hansa died and though i never cared for elephants i always thought she was cute and she had a small space in my heart. i hope that more baby elephants can be reproduced in the years to come.
P.S: if another baby elephant is born and it is a girl than how about naming it Hansa Jr. or Hansa the second.
love with all my heart (and that is alot),
raquel,10 and1/2 year old and future marine biologist

Our family was saddened to learn of the death of Hansa. Death at such a young age never seems natural or fair. Hansa was only 3 months younger than my own daughter. Hansa and the other elephants are a family favorite. We visit the zoo frequently and don't always have time to see everything but we always have to visit the elephants. We will miss Hansa, she was special. This obviously must be a difficult time for the Staff and Volunteers at Woodland Park Zoo. Though the weight of your pain is great know that the burden of it is shared by so many, that is what community is for. Thank you for all your good work and compassion. Be well.

Just wanted to send our condolences to all the zoo keepers and especially Hansa's. I'm so sorry for your loss. We really had a special 6 years with her.

I was pregnant with my first child at the same time as Chai was pregnant with Hansa. I remember all the t.v. specials about Hansa right before she was born. It's so funny, but I felt especially attached to little baby Hansa as I gave birth to my son only a month after Hansa was born. Maybe it was all the extra hormones, or just that it really was an especially wonderful time in Seattle's recent history. All I know is that every time we've been to the zoo, we've always made a point to stop in and see our little elephant. We were actually just there to see Hansa a couple of weeks ago with my son's Kindergarten class. I'm so thankful for one more time to watch Hansa. She was getting a bath and we had a great time watching her for several minutes.

I hope you all know that we support you and are thankful for your efforts. We love our zoo and all the animals. Best wishes and prayers for you all as you go through this difficult time.

I was very sad to hear of Hansa's death. She was very special to my family and I. We grew up across the street from the zoo, and still remember when Bamboo came as a little elephant. She was "our" elephant, and so was Hansa. Hansa was so much fun to watch, with her antics, and she made us laugh and laugh. I remember visiting one time when a keeper was trying to clean up, and Hansa was determined to get to that pile of dung. She would go one way, then fake the other way. The keeper would shoo her away, and she would pretend to leave, then turn around and barrel back behind the keeper. She tried time and again, and never succeeded, but she sure was determined! I took my mother, who had a stroke to see her, and she brought great joy to her as well. We will surely miss her.

How I cried when I read the news.I immediately remembered visiting the zoo shortly after Hansa was born. Her little, loose spaghetti-noodle like trunk wiggling around as she trotted along. I've watched her grow and regret that the last time I was there I didn't take the time to go and see the elephants. She will be missed and mourned by many. She is missed and mourned by me.

Like all of the Seattle Area, and animal lovers, we were so saddened by loss of Hansa. She was a joy to watch. We saw her from the time she first went on view and last time on Sat. before Mother's day. We know how all of the keepers at the Zoo were excited at the pending birth of Hansa and watched Ken as he walked Chi before the birth and "played" with Hansa as a "child". We are sure by now you have contacted Ken, but if you do so again, please tell him Don (from Safeway) and Sally send their deepest sympathy.

The sadness at Hansa's passing has been very articulately chronicled and I join in mourning the shortness of her life and celebrating that she had a very good life while she was here. Seeing her frolic as a very young calf was such a delight.

I want to commend you on allowing the members of the elephant family their private time with her body. It reminded me of a day about 25 years ago during a visit to Kenya. We drove along a dirt road and caught sight of grey stirring among the trees. There was an eerie hush that went beyond the usual noontime lull. We stopped and peered through the trees to see a herd of elephants silently shuffling around the body of one of their own. A couple of them nudged it with their trunks then continued the shuffling walk around the fallen family member. We realized they were coming to terms with a loss and quietly moved on. It's a sight and feeling I won't forget. I'm glad Woodland Park's little herd was given time for this necessary elephant ritual.

We are very saddened to hear of Hansa's passing. We do not live near the zoo but saw her video's on your site and of course saw her on the news as well. Such a sweetie, she really enjoyed the life she had! We send our love to her family at the zoo, please keep on caring so well for all of your animals for many years to come.

There's no doubt that Hansa's existence, no matter how short, had a huge impact on people. I'm reminded of a visit to the zoo when I overhead a little boy after he rushed up to the elephant exhibit and stated, "I didn't know they were real!" PETA, et al can say what they want about zoos, but that comment sealed it for me: we need you. And we need elephants to be a visible reminder of what we could lose. Best to you on your work, your dedication and commitment.

I am heartbroken about the loss of our dear Hansa; and my heart also aches for the Zoo's employees and other elephants who I know all mourn her loss. I was so blessed to be able to go to Hansa's 1st birthday party, and got a private "audience" with her; and I still have the piece of her cake in my freezer -- it was the only piece with a pink frosting elephant on it and I have always treasured it along with HER. It will take us all a long time to recover from this shock, but we all should keep the wonderful and cute memories of Hansa foremost in our minds. She will ALWAYS be remembered and missed. God bless Hansa, and her wonderful keepers and all the Zoo's employees and volunteers.

I know that you are now being inundated with emails, letters, gifts and flowers in honor of Hansa's life. I wasn't going to add to them, but upon going through some older photos I took in the last few years, I came across Hansa playing with straw and it was all over her head! What a mess she made, but was having oh so much fun making it! And we, my two daughters, 10 and 18 and myself and husband we all entranced at her.

I have followed the Zoo's progress in all fronts since we moved out to the Seattle area in 1988. Your facility has grown and much improved for the animals. Not many places think about putting their animals first as you do and for that we are all greatful. I am sorry that PETA and other animals rights' organizations are seizing this time to try to advance their causes forward and forgetting that there was a life lost here. A life that was well taken care of and gave pleasure to all who saw her. She taught so many children about animals and that baby animals act very much like human children in their antics and stubborness. This helped many children, I am sure, to identify with them and possibly help them to think a little differently about these animals' future and what they can do to help ensure their species place in our world.

We will miss her running, swimming, straw throwing, chowing down, dust baths, water fights, ball playing and her trying to be a big girl in her trumpeting.

Please, everyone take care there and keep up the good work you are all doing. We, the Karr family in particular, appreciate each and every one of you.

While volunteering at Woodland Park this past weekend, a number of visitors took the time to stop and share memories of our wonderful Hansa and to offer sympathy. I would like to say how much this helped in dealing with the pain of losing her. I can't thank you all enough for your caring support.

I too never knew an elephant could smile until our little Hansa came into our lives. Our little bundle of joy made the whole world around her smile back. The memories of her mother teaching her to use her trunk, flipping it over her head so she could nurse, the video of her trying to get all four feet into a small rubber tub ( I don't believe there was any water left by the time she succeeded), climbing a new log placed in the yard that was just that little too high for her to climb, the time I caught her picking up a brush and scrubbing momma during bath time just like the keepers did, the fun she had in the pool, to a couple of weeks ago watching her with her mom, pulling hay from Chai's trunk to eat herself, it was an amazing 6 1⁄2 years.

Watching our keepers work with the elephants, helping them cope during this time is further proof that they couldn't be in better hands. My heart goes out to them as it does to the Chai, Watoto and Bamboo. I know that in time, memories of Hansa will no longer bring a tear to the eye, but will instead do what she always did, and that is make us smile.

Our heart goes out to you.we used to live in Seattle so we would see Hansa every week.She was a great elephant.My daughter who is 12 cried when we seen it on the news. Hansa has a very big place in our hearts.We will say prayers for you. We let a balloon go in Hansa's name,my daughter wrote love messages on it.Sorry for your terrible loss. How is Chai doing? It will be interesting to know what she died from.

I am sure that words can not express the emotions that are flowing through the personnel at WPZ. I was hoping that instead of sending my condolences, and adding my sadness to theirs… I could send them words of profound adoration and gratitude. I want to thank them for the efforts they have put in so we could all share the blessed life of Hansa.

Perhaps, if it is not too soon after she has gone, I would like to share (with the zoo personnel) a story. It was years ago.. before little Hansa had learned how to use her trunk, and was stumbling gleefully over her toys. I remember when I came to see her for the first time, I was touched to see what followed. While ambling clumsily through the elephant barn, kicking her large ball, and tripping over a large log, nothing seemed to please her more than the fleeting moments when she happened to bump into one of the keepers. I noticed, she would even abandon her toys just so she could remain close to these people. Though the keepers were busily attending to their daily duties, and may have appeared to some ignorant of the antics of Hansa just to gain their attention, I know that the behavior she exhibited would not have happened, had the keepers not loved her just as much. I want to thank those of you who helped in the care of this little elephant, and shared the joy of her life with us.

I am not limiting my thanks to the keepers or curators alone. I understand that the horticulturalists and even the volunteers shared in the joy, and miss her everyday. I want you all to know, though Hansa’s death may seem a terrible loss, many of us have gained so much. She was an ambassador for the fading elephants in India, and Africa! I understand that it is very hard to raise an elephant domestically. The fact that Hansa lived for 6 1⁄2 years is a miracle, and a testament of the great care that all of the zoo staff have for all of the animals in the zoo. From Cockroaches to Elephants, you have all achieved great things!

I know that my words can offer little comfort at this time, but I wanted you all to know that your efforts do not go unnoticed. It is true that Hansa’s life was very short, but she lived it to it’s fullest, because of you. I’m sure, wherever she is now, she is happy, and she will never forget your care and effort. Thank you for sharing Hansa with us.

Our family would like to thank the entire staff at the Woodland Park Zoo for the beautiful gift you have given us in Hansa. Her birth was a miracle and such a symbol of hope for her species. We are all grieving for her and our sympathy goes out to her herd, her keepers, and the entire zoo staff. I am blessed to be a family member of one of her keepers, and we know just how much you all give of yourselves each and every day in your dedication to caring for these animals. Your message of conservation to the general public is so very important. It just may be the only hope these beautiful creatures have for the future and their survival. We thank you and support you 100%.

I am deeply saddened over the untimely death of sweet 'little' Hansa. I feel like a member of my own family is gone. I tracked the journey of Chai to Missouri and back when she was taken to mate with Hansa's father. I anxiously awaited the birth of the baby elephant -- and had a dream about her birth on the morning of the day she was actually born! I went to see her several times in the first few weeks, anxiously waiting in line with many other people to see our new baby. I attended the event where Hansa was named, and had a chance to feed her more than once at various zoo / Safari Club events. It was fun to watch her grow. Every trip to the zoo included a visit to the elephant house. Hansa signified hope for the future of her species, and she really seemed to live out her name of "supreme happiness." Though Hansa is gone, she taught us many lessons about hope and love that will live on, along with her memory. I've had her 'baby' picture / poster on the wall in my office for many years and plan to leave it there. God bless Hansa, and the rest of us, too.

My husband and I love elephants and were heartbroken to hear about little Hansa. We cannot imagine what you are all going through, and as sad as we are, it must be so much harder for you to deal with. Our thoughts and sympathy are with all of you and especially with Chai, Watoto, and Bamboo. We will miss you, Hansa, and will never forget you.

I am 30 years old and I love Elephants. Hansa to me was special because I remember when she was born. I was there the afternoon of the day she was to be named and watched her get a bath. I hadn't seen her in two years, but I loved seeing pictures of her on tv or in the newspapers. I will miss her greatly and was very upset when I heard she had died. Compounded with that this week when I had to put my dog to sleep it has been a tough few weeks. My love for elephants is still strong and I know I will be back to see the rest of the Elephants again when it is easier again.

I saw it in the news I'm very sorry about our darling elephant she is in God's hands now and I'm sure we will see her at rainbow bridge she will be greeting you and everyone that was taking care of her. I know how it feels to lose a pet or a love one.

I haven’t been able to write until now because my heart was too numb with grief to write. I break out in tears randomly just about anywhere. I loved Hansa so much. I remember the day she was born so well. My thoughts are now with her mom, Chai as she deals with the loss of her baby. Our zoo and our lives will never be the same now.

I loved watching Hansa play in her pond. I remember watching her a couple of years ago in the pond wrestling with a “stick” she wanted to bring into the water with her. It was rather a large log. Like me, she loved the water and I will always remember we had that in common. I love and miss you so much Hansa.

God be with all of you who worked with and cared for her.

I wanted to send my deepest sympathies about Hansa. My thoughts and prayers are with the WPZ staff. She was truly a remarkable and very loveable animal. She will be missed forever, but she will always be remembered as well.

My son and I saw Hansa for the first time on her First Birthday. It was such a fun event. We have seen her several times since. We are deeply saddened by her death as all of you are. She touched many lives.

Hansa brought so much joy to those of us who visited the zoo. I can’t believe she’s gone and that I won’t get to watch her anymore. Though my kids are grown, I had to bring them regularly to see Hansa. She enchanted us with her antics and her joy of life. When I think of Hansa, I always think of her smiling though I’m not even sure elephants can smile. But I’d take one look at that sweet little elephant and swear she was just grinning right back at all of us. Watching her play, amble under the bigger elephants, attempt to drag a log, or just reach for a beloved carrot always made me smile and made the day brighter. I could have stayed and watched her all day as she frolicked—in fact, most of the time my family would drag me reluctantly away from the elephants. I can’t imagine an animal being more well-cared for or well-loved in any other zoo than Hansa was. It was readily apparent how much everyone at Woodlark Park Zoo loved her. She was indeed our little princess. I feel as though my heart is broken with her loss. I will always remember our little bearer of supreme happiness.

I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Hansa--a loss for all of us, and especially for your elephant keepers, who have such a close relationship with their animals.

My heart is broken over the loss of Hansa. Although I left the Seattle area four years ago for the east coast, I still carry newspaper clippings and photos from Hansa's birth and first trips outside. I remember visiting her for the first time and seeing this shy little elephant standing between her mother's legs, occasionally glancing at the enthusiastic crowd. I was so happy for her and the zoo and knew that Hansa would grow to be a proud and powerful ambassador for her species. My heart goes out to the zoo staff and everyone else who was as touched by her as I was. I know she could not have received more love and care than she did at Woodland Park Zoo. I will miss her deeply.

I just wanted to say I am so sorry for your (our) loss. When Hansa was born, I immediately went to the zoo's website and printed pictures of her and have had them at my desk ever since. She has brought me a lot of joy. What a sweetie. I can only imagine what the people who cared for her and were with her every day are going through. Last November right after her birthday I took my boyfriend to the zoo because I hadn't seen Hansa in a year. He had to drag me from her enclosure. She was a very special animal. I made sure everyone who came to visit me from the east coast got to see her as well. God bless her.

To all at the Woodland Park Zoo,

We are from Liberty Lake, WA and were enjoying all the animals at your zoo on the day that Hansa passed away. We could see that the zoo employees were saddened, including the worker who informed us of her death. We are very sorry for your loss and express our condolences.

Woodland Park Zoo will forever be remembered as the first zoo our 2 yr old daughter visited. She enjoyed her experience very much and has been telling everyone she sees about the monkeys, bears, goats, zebras, elephants, donkeys, etc.

Again, we are very sorry for your loss and know that you deeply cared for Hansa.

My Daughters and I have a Zoo membership just to watch the Elephants, they are by far our favorite animals at the Zoo. We could watch them for hours. Hansa was a blessing to Seattle and we were lucky to have her for the 6 years we did, we are extremely saddened by the loss of her and our hearts go out to her Elephant family.

Hansa, I loved you! You were born ten days after me, and we grew up together. I wish you were still alive. Poor Chai, I send you a big hug.

With love, Maya, age 6 1/2

I have a special friend who is a refugee from Sudan. We went to college together at Saint Martin's in Lacey, and used to love to come visit the zoo in Seattle. My friend was homesick, and found joy and comfort in visiting your excellent African exhibit and in looking at all the animals in the zoo who reminded him of home. On a hot summer day three years ago, we stood mesmerized for a long time in the elephant forest, watching little Hansa splash and play in the water. I had just received a devastating diagnosis of juvenile diabetes, but Hansa's antics lifted my spirits and brought a smile to my face. The memory of that day holds a special place in my heart, and always will. Thank you for letting her be part of our lives.

Yin Nhiar, Hansa. Rest in peace.

I spent many hours photographing Hansa and her parents when I visited The Woodlands Zoo with my daughter.

I had read about this beautiful baby and made a point of visiting the zoo when I visited from Australia 3 years ago.

My daughter rang me today and told me the terrible new about Hansa’s death.

I am grateful that I have so many happy images of her, and the happiness I felt that day brings a warmth to my heart.

She will live in our hearts and memories forever.

Peace to all.So sorry for the loss of such a sweet little elephant, Please send love to Chai. Xoox

Our hearts go out to all of the wonderful caring loved ones left behind. We are all so heartbroken and saddened by this sudden passing. I hope that her mom is ok, Hansa will always be remembered in our hearts. Me ke Aloha Hansa...May you roam fre in the jungles of heaven...

Not sure how to get a message to you, but want you to know many here in St. Louis are thinking about you and sharing your sorrow. Baby elephants are so precious, for so very many reasons, and the loss is devastating. I first met Hansa through the book about her when Sri 'relocated' here. Sri is very special to me, being Thai, as I do a lot of work with Elephant Nature Park and she reminds me of 'my' herd when I'm home in St. Louis instead of where a big hunk of my heart lies.

Sharing your sorrow.

I just wanted to share these two pictures that I took of Hansa at our last visit to the zoo... The elephants have always a favorite stop of mine during Woodland Park visits...
My sympathies to the keepers, Chai, and everyone else that this pretty little baby touched in her short life.

My husband and I have been traveling since February, so did not hear of Hansa's passing until today. This magical, beautiful animal brightened so many lives. The first thing our grandson Jaiden would ask for when we would go to the zoo would be the elephant area. Hansa was 6 months older than Jaiden. I am reduced to tears and my heart aches for her family, and for her extended zoo family. She was taken for a reason, and what better way to leave than by her mom's side? We will miss you, beautiful girl.

Dear Hansa,

We miss you very much. My heart is broken and my family is very sad that you are no longer here. I have pictures of you that we had taken from our many trips to the zoo. When I look at them they make me fall to pieces. We will always remember you.

My daughter, Isabella, and I would like to express our sadness about Hansa. Isabella was born shortly after Hansa and always a favorite to visit when at the zoo. We will miss her very much. Our deepest condolences go out to her mother, Chai, the other two elephants and the zookeepers and staff.

Isabella’s words: I feel bad for Hansa. I liked seeing her at the zoo. She was mi favorite animal in the world.

Please accept my condolences on the death of Hansa. I read today that an animal rights groups is demanding an investigation and that made me angry enough to write to you with my support. How they could even contemplate that any of you were negligent in our beautiful elephant’s death is proof of their ignorance and confrontational nature. Don’t let them get you down. I know that you, more than any of us, are saddened by this outcome. Thank you for all of the hard work you do!!

I have also read that the Animal Rights people want you to close your elephant exhibit. Please, please don't give into them. The world needs to keep our animals especially Elephants in the public eye. I have been friends with some of the Ringling trainers and have been to The Riddle Santuary in Arkansas. Elephants need to stay in Zoos and other places where they can be worked with and trained, and especially bred. At some point that is where most of our elephants will survive.

Thank you for keeping your elephants. Hope to someday visit your Zoo.

Dear Zoo,
We miss Hansa the elephant. I know Hansa is in heaven. We love you Hansa. We are so sad for Hansa's mommy and family. We will pray for you.

I just heard about your loss of Hansa.

Like so many others, Hansa was born right around the same time as my oldest son. We brought him as an infant to see the new baby elephant and we celebrated her fifth birthday at the zoo right along with his.

Just last week we brought our new baby girl to go see "her brother's elephant" for the first time. We marveled at how much like out 6 1/2 year she was. She meant so much to the people of Seattle and represented all the hopes and dreams we had for our children. We send our warmest condolences to Hansa's Zoo Family.

All of you there, and Hansa's own family and animal friends will be in my prayers, and in the prayers of so many others who loved her.

Turn to those left who need you now; you will find this a great source of comfort.

I am emailing you to ask that you accept and also pass on my very deepest condolences to Dr. Kelly Helmick and the rest of the staff who are suffering the loss of Baby Hansa. I love animals so much, and I know what this loss feels like, as I have been through it myself, in the not too distant past (August 1994). I share your tears and sorrow.

Hansa brought such light and joy to our city! She was so dang adorable. Whenever I would come to visit, I couldn't take my eyes off her! I could tell from the start that she had won over the handlers - their love for her was so obvious! I love watching the video of Chai's journey to get pregnant and then the birth of this special animal. Those tears of joy are now replaced with extreme tears of sadness. My heart goes out to all the zoo staff who cared for her. You are all in our thoughts! We are all lucky to have had sweet Hansa for the short time we did.

I hope Chai is pregnant again! Please give her hugs lots of hugs.

Afte