The oldest known captive elephant was Lin Wang, who lived to about 86 years of age. He was an Asian elephant captured in Burma during World War II and later served with the Chinese Expeditionary Force, helping transport supplies and equipment.
After the war, Lin Wang was taken to Taiwan in 1947. In 1954, he was transferred to Taipei Zoo, where he spent the rest of his life and became one of Taiwan’s best-known animals. His name means “King of the Forest,” although the final Chinese characters became established after a reporter misheard the intended pronunciation.
Lin Wang became a cultural icon, and Taipei Zoo held annual birthday celebrations for him. He died in 2003, in his 86th year, after outliving the usual lifespan of many elephants. He is often confused with other famous captive elephants, including Jumbo and Topsy, but neither is the accepted answer to this longevity record. His record has also been discussed alongside India’s Chengalloor Dakshayani, whose age and record claims were less certain.