A heart-wrenching video of a mourning circus elephant has left social media users crying after it revealed Magda mourning the death of her long-time performing partner, Jenny. The two elephants, who had been together for more than 25 years in Russia, had been living their golden years until Jenny collapsed and passed away earlier this week.
Magda’s Heartbreaking Goodbye
The video captures Magda in distress. First, she nudges Jenny and attempts to hoist her in a last-ditch effort to wake her up. When her attempt is futile, Magda wraps her trunk around Jenny and stays by her side, not willing to leave her friend behind.
😢💔 An elephant mourns her deceased friend
In occupied Crimea, the famous elephant Jenny passed away due to illness.
Her companion, Magda, refused to let people approach for hours, hugging Jenny and staying by her side for a long time. pic.twitter.com/nY5FRJueHp
— Based & Viral (@ViralBased) March 14, 2025
Local media outlets reported that Magda stayed by Jenny’s side for hours and did not permit veterinarians to get close, with deep mourning over the loss.
Social Media Responds to Emotional Moment
The clip went viral very soon, with social media users lamenting the loss and marveling at the relationship between the two elephants.
“Love knows no bounds. I’m not crying, you’re crying,” wrote one user. Another said, “Elephants are one of the only other mammals besides humans that have been observed carrying out burial rites. They are super smart. Heartbreaking to watch.”
Remember the Russian circus elephants who fought so fiercely in 2021 they terrified the crowd in Kazan?
Baza reports that Magda & Jennie were sent to retire in Crimea, made peace, and stayed together—until Jennie died this week.
Magda’s grief speaks volumes. pic.twitter.com/Xi3MnA14l5
— Brian McDonald (@27khv) March 14, 2025
A third viewer commented, “Elephants are one of the only other mammals besides humans that have been observed carrying out burial rites. They are super smart. Heartbreaking to watch.”
The Indomitable Connection Between Jenny and Magda
Although they were close, the two elephants also had their differences. They worked for most of their careers in the Russian city of Kazan before retiring in 2021 after two accidents forced their shows to be canceled.
At one show, Jenny unexpectedly butted Magda, and there was an outburst of panic among spectators. The circus attributed the action as a result of jealousy, with a representative asserting, “What happened was a manifestation of the companion of love – jealousy.”
One week later, the two elephants turned on their trainer and severely injured him, including two broken spinal fractures, broken ribs, and a punctured lung. The show was suddenly cancelled, and the pair was retired.
The emotional goodbye between Jenny and Magda has moved hearts all over the globe, reminding individuals of the advanced emotional intelligence of elephants. Their tale reminds people not only of their close connections but also of the intense sadness they feel, similar to that of humans.
