Toka

PAWS Says Goodbye to Toka – One of the Oldest African Elephants in North America

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that African elephant Toka has passed away after a very brief illness. At age 56, Toka was among the oldest African elephants in North America, and for nearly 13 years she called PAWS home.

Ed Stewart, PAWS Co-founder and President of the Board of Directors, reflected on Toka’s life at PAWS:

“Toka spent her days at the sanctuary immersed in nature, enjoying the warm California weather and a spacious environment where she could express natural elephant behaviors and live with dignity.

She was easily recognized by her long, elegant tusks and quiet presence. Toka especially loved bananas, which were known to send her into a state of pure bliss, and she enjoyed a good mud bath, in which she would happily roll and splash.

PAWS was proud to provide Toka with expert daily and veterinary care, and we were honored to have her as a cherished member of the PAWS family for so many years. Toka will forever have a place in our hearts.”

Toka was born into a wild elephant family in Mozambique, Africa. She was captured at approximately two years old – one of many calves orphaned after their mothers were slaughtered in culls. In nature, female elephants remain with their mothers and family groups for life, forming deep social bonds that are central to their well-being.

At just four years old, Toka was sent to the Toronto Zoo, where she spent the next 39 years. After the zoo decided to end its elephant program, the Toronto City Council voted to relocate the remaining elephants to PAWS. Toka arrived at the sanctuary in October 2013, along with Thika and the late Iringa.

At PAWS, Toka was able to enjoy the peace and quiet of the sanctuary — walking across rolling hills, foraging, dusting herself with dirt, and simply being an elephant. Her caregivers knew her as a sensitive and resilient individual.

Everyone at PAWS will miss this remarkable elephant. Toka touched the lives of so many people: caregivers, staff, volunteers, supporters, and all who had the privilege of knowing her story. We are grateful for the time she spent with us, surrounded by compassion, care, and love.

Toka