Kansas elephant star from Burt Reynolds movie dies at 67. KC Zoo sends sympathy
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Topeka Zoo humanely euthanized Cora at 67 after a recent health decline
- Cora co-starred with Burt Reynolds in 1980's Smokey and the Bandit II
- Zoo monitors companion Tembo for grief and invites public memorial drops
Cora, an Asian elephant who starred in a hit movie with Burt Reynolds 45 years ago, has died. Her keepers at the Topeka Zoo and Conservatory announced her passing on Wednesday.
The zoo said Cora, who was 67, “was humanely euthanized following a recent and more rapid decline in her health.”
She made a name for herself in Hollywood co-starring with Reynolds in the 1980 comedy, “Smokey and the Bandit II.”
“Her caregivers made this difficult but compassionate decision out of love and respect for her well-being. Cora passed peacefully, surrounded by her devoted zoo family,” the zoo said in its announcement.
“Cora was one of the oldest Asian elephants in human care in the United States, living far beyond the average life expectancy for her species.”
Zoos across the country sent condolences, including the teams at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium and the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
“Our hearts are with you, friends. We are truly sorry for your loss,” the KC zoo wrote on social media.
Fans of the “Smokey and the Bandit” trilogy of action comedies starring Reynolds knew Cora as Charlotte, the key figure in an escapade to transport her from Miami to the Republican National Convention in Dallas, where she was to serve as mascot.
Just last year fans of the movies visited Cora in Topeka during the Bandit Run, a national event in which “Smokey and the Bandit” fans drive Pontiac Trans Ams — like the muscle car Reynolds famously drove in the movies — to locations related to the films.
“Cora lived a long, full life at the Topeka Zoo, where she was adored by staff and visitors alike. She made movie history rolling down the highway with Burt Reynolds, and it’s fitting that the East Bound and Down and Bandit Run communities got the chance to meet her before she took her final bow,” a fan wrote on Instagram after she died.
“RIP to one of the most unforgettable co-stars in movie history.”
The zoo called Cora’s story “one of both extraordinary longevity and cultural legacy.”
Her movie with Reynolds became the eighth highest-grossing movie of 1980.
“Her gentle personality and intelligence made her a natural performer, and she remained a fan favorite for decades,” said the zoo.
She moved to Topeka in 2016 to enjoy her retirement years and became a popular ambassador “for her species and a cherished part of the community,” her caretakers said.
Cora had fans in Kansas and around the world. She also had a special connection with Tembo, a 55-year-old African elephant and fellow geriatric pachyderm at the zoo.
Elephants are known to bond with each other; Cora and Tembo were besties. They can also show signs of grieving, the zoo said, so Tembo was allowed to view Cora after she died.
“While she has not shown any major change in behavior, we will closely monitor Tembo to ensure she has the support she needs now and in the future,” the zoo said.
The zoo told one patron on Facebook Thursday that so far Tembo’s care team “has continued seeing regular behaviors from her; she was ‘purring’ and greeted her team in the morning (which is a good sign!) and spent her day relishing in all the attention she’s been receiving.”
Former zookeepers and zoo patrons left hundreds of condolence messages on the zoo’s Facebook page.
“I am so sorry for the loss of Cora. She was such a gentle and sweet elephant. She lived an amazing life and her keepers gave her great care,” wrote a former zoo employee. “I’m so thankful I got to spend some time with here when I worked there in ‘23. I have her and Tembo’s elephant kisses hanging up on my wall, I’ll cherish those.”
The zoo has invited Cora’s human friends and fans to drop off favorite memories and photos at the zoo, located in Topeka’s Gage Park.
But now we’ll never know whether Cora was a registered Republican.
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