Tikiri, the malnourished 70-year-old female elephant in Sri Lanka, whose plight captured global headlines in August, died on Tuesday, just weeks after shocking images of her condition led to a social media outcry.*

The Thailand-based Save Elephant Foundation, which first drew attention to Tikiri’s plight, shared the news of her passing through a Facebook post on Tuesday that stated:

The sad news is just out tonight that Tikiri passed away this evening. There is both sorrow and relief here. To think of her brings such pain to my heart.

That hard service was her life, and not freedom, carries for me a commitment to others who yet suffer. That we could not help her before her eyes would shut forever fosters a renewed courage, and bears a responsibility for us to find safe refuges for all of the captive Giants born under the yoke of Man. What we wished for Tikiri, even a few days of freedom with love and care, we will demand for others. . . .

Tikiri's suffering has ended, her soul is now free. No more harm can come to her.

RIP dear Tikiri. Never look back to this world so cruel toward you and your friends.

The Save Elephant Foundation, headed by “elephant whisperer” and founder Lek Chailert, works to protect Asian elephants in Thailand and across the region, operating a variety of projects, including the Elephant Nature Park, a sanctuary near the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai.

Tikiri reportedly collapsed in August after being forced to walk many kilometers during nightly parades for the Buddhist festival Esala Perahera while wearing an elaborate costume. Media reports indicated that she was just one of some 60 elephants taking part in the celebrations.*