Berlin Zoo mourns sudden death of young elephant
By Associated Press
Apr 5, 2011 6:19 AM CDT

The Berlin Zoo says another young animal has died unexpectedly, only two weeks after celebrity polar bear Knut passed away.

Spokeswoman Claudia Bienek said six-year-old Indian elephant Shaina Pali died early Tuesday morning. Elephants can live up to about 80 years in captivity.

She says the zoo's veterinarian thinks the elephant died of an infection but that a necropsy is being performed to determine the exact cause of death.

Four-year old polar bear Knut died March 19 at the zoo after collapsing in his enclosure's moat. Experts said his collapse was caused by a swelling of his brain brought on by an infection.

Bienek says the two deaths are unrelated.

She says: "It's simply very, very sad."