A breeder checks an Asian elephant's foot at Chimelong Safari Park in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Aug. 12, 2022. Photo: Xinhua

An Asian elephant named Yaqi at Jinan Zoo in East China's Shandong Province died of multiple organ failure on Monday, the zoo announced, breaking heart of netizens. 

"Yaqi would no longer embrace the spring together with us. His departure breaks heart of everyone who loved him," a notice released by the zoo read. 

The notice continued that though Yaqi's life ended at this moment, his stories will continue to last in hearts of many. Wish he will be free and happy in another world. 

Yaqi was an Asian elephant born on June 14, 2020. 

The specific cause of the elephant's death would be determined after pathological analysis by professional institutions, the zoo said. 

"He was still a baby elephant. That's heart-breaking," a netizen posted after reading the news. "Thank you for having been to this world, thank you for your time with us," another commented. 

The zoo said Yaqi's mom, Sakuan, is still living at the zoo and staff promised to take extra good care of her. 

The Paper