Thiruvananthapuram: The oldest captive elephant in Asia and Guinness record-holder, 88-year-old Dakshayani, died at a care centre at nearby Pappanamcode. The end came on Tuesday following illness owing to old age, sources in the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which owned the elephant, said.

In 2016, Dakshayani was conferred the "Gaja Muthassi" (elephant granny) title and entered the Guinness Book of Records. The Postal department had also brought out a postal cover on the elephant.

Dakshayani was much sought after in temple processions and was a constant presence at the 'Arattu' procession of the Padmanabhaswamy temple here until three years ago.

Dakshayani was presented to the Thiruvarattukavu Devi temple in Attingal by the Traveancore royal family from Kodanad Elephant Training Centre in Tamil Nadu. Later, she was brought to Chengallur Mahadeva temple in 1960.