Asian elephant, Jamilah, was born at the zoo in January during one of our freezing cold winters which was a great lift and start to the year, as it meant the growth and development of the herd! She was named by crime novelist Ruth Rendell – Jamilah means _beautiful__.However, this great arrival was somewhat dampened by the departure of Chester Zoo’s matriarch elephant, Sheba. She sadly passed away after having some age related heath issues for some time. Sheba had been at the zoo for 46 years and had played a major role in the development of our herd into one of the most successful Asian elephant breeding herds in Europe.Affectionately known as Madam Sheba by the team who looked after her, she had been at the zoo longer than any other elephant.