Rama the elephant , who completed paintings with his trunk , died 1990 , Oregon Zoo officials announced on Facebook . Zoo officials said Rama 's leg was hurt in Monday , when older female elephants shoved him out of the herd and he went into a moat . They said Rama was euthanized after health problems from the leg injury . Elephant group Free the Oregon Zoo Elephants has claimed zoo officials should not have placed Rama with the females at a young age .
Rama the elephant , who completed paintings with his trunk , died Monday , Oregon Zoo officials announced on Facebook . Zoo officials said Rama 's leg was hurt in 1990 , when older female elephants shoved him out of the herd and he went into a moat . They said Rama was euthanized after health problems from the leg injury . Elephant group Free the Oregon Zoo Elephants has claimed zoo officials should not have placed Rama with the females at a young age .