Lucy euthanized at 46

Lucy the elephant was euthanized Friday at the Milwaukee County Zoo. She was 46 years old.

"We knew this day was coming," Zoo Director Chuck Wikenhauser said.

That foreknowledge did little, though, to soften the sadness that spread among the zoo staff and seemed to touch Lucy's younger companion, Brittany.

The 29-year-old African elephant was taken to Lucy's stall after the older elephant had passed.

"Brittany was calm and peaceful, and there was an extension of that feeling through the staff," Wikenhauser said. "It was a very quiet time for everybody."

Our hearts go out to her caretakers.