Crowds of animal lovers turned out at Auckland Zoo on Sunday for a memorial day to celebrate the life of the elephant Kashin.
The 40-year-old elephant had chronic arthritis and foot abscesses and was euthanised last Monday after her health worsened.
Visitors on Sunday will have the chance to visit Kashin's final resting place to pay their respects to the elephant who had lived at the zoo for 36 years. Entry to the zoo was free.
An Auckland Zoo spokesperson says says queues formed at the gates before opening hours, and urged patience as large crowds were expected that could stretch the zoo to its 6000-person capacity.
Staff have been monitoring the zoo's remaining elephant, Burma, in case she is badly affected by Kashin's death.