San Diego Zoo welcomes elephant that killed its previous handler SAN DIEGO, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- An African elephant that accidentally killed one of her handlers in New Zealand will be on display at the San Diego Zoo, officials said. Mila, who is about 40 years old, arrived in the United States from New Zealand Nov. 14, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday. Since her arrival, Mila has been in quarantine, but once she passes inspection, she will be introduced to the zoo's six other elephants and be on public display. Before coming to California, Mila lived at the eight-acre Franklin Zoo south of Auckland. On April 25, 2012, Mila accidentally killed Helen Schofield, 42, her handler and a veterinarian and operator of the zoo. Witnesses said it appeared as though Mila was trying to protect Schofield, who had tripped exiting Mila's enclosure, not hurt her. Following Schofield's death, trustees of the zoo decided to close the facility and disperse its animals. Working with Erin Ivory, a wild animal management consultant and former trainer at the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld San Diego, the trustees secured a spot for Mila at the San Diego Zoo. "She is not a 'killer elephant,'" Ivory said. She's just an elephant, a large animal who deserves to be running around. She's amazing.