The most admired animal in the Bucharest Zoo, Gaya the Elephant, died in fall 2006, leaving behind a handful of commissions and discussion boards. According to the Analysis Commission report, Gaya was killed by the respiratory problems caused by the extreme stress she was submitted to.

The report, based on the opinions of several foreign specialists, also proves that some Zoo animals were sacrificed and used as food for the reptiles.

The Gaya scandal begun after an article in "Romania Libera" shown that the elephant was harassed by dogs until she collapsed and died because of her own weight.

Others comment that Gaya was 48 years old, while the maximum age of a captive elephant was 52, a record reached in Sidney, Australia.