Australia is mourning the loss of its last African elephant in captivity, with the death of Cuddles, a 46-year old elephant at Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Cuddles passed away on Wednesday morning, the zoo said. Staff had been closely monitoring the female elephant over the past week as her health condition had slowly declined due to digestive issues.

The zoo's oldest inhabitant had been suffering from a number of health problems, with the "heartbreaking" call made to euthanize her, according to a statement.

"She loved being the center of attention and interacting with zoo keepers and had even perfected the art of getting extra treats like banana and lucerne," it said.  

Cuddles arrived in Australia from Britain in 1977 and was present when the zoo opened. "We are all mourning the loss of this beautiful animal, who was much loved by staff, volunteers, and visitors alike," the zoo said.

The World Wildlife Foundation estimated that there were approximately 415,000 African elephants in 2016. 

Cameron Kerr, director of the Taronga Conservation Society, told Australian broadcaster ABC that the zoo did not have any plans to replenish its African elephant population in the next 10 years. He said it was more focused at the moment on its Asian elephant, with fewer than 50,000 of these animals left.