Dublin Zoo is mourning the loss of a second elephant to the fatal Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV). The deadly disease claimed the life of seven-year-old Zinda, only days after resulting in the death of eight-year-old Avani. EEHV, which cannot be transferred to other species, including humans, is a destructive, unpredictable virus typically afflicting young elephants in the wild and in captivity.
The zoo shared its heartache and stated that despite the relentless efforts of its veterinary team and global specialists, Zinda’s health eventually declined. The authorities from both Ireland and the UK collaborated in a remarkable endeavour to salvage the elephant, enabling the urgent importation of key blood products and other essential supplies from Chester Zoo. These items were to provide antibodies and assist in combating the infection and were transferred to Dublin with a Garda escort.
At the moment, no other elephants in the herd show signs of EEHV. However, the zoo is keeping a close eye on their health and has an EEHV contingency plan in place to guard the surviving herd members. The zoo also expressed gratitude for the remarkable support and guidance from the veterinary and elephant communities worldwide and stressed the difficulty of managing the disease, even with top-level care and vigilance.
Around the globe, efforts are being made to create an EEHV vaccine, as zoos and wildlife researchers strive to find a solution to protect the future of the elephants. Dublin Zoo asserted its commitment to the elephants’ wellbeing and promised to take all necessary steps to ensure their safety. The zoo appreciated the public support during this testing time.
The Kaziranga Forest Trail elephant habitat is home to five-tonne bull elephant Aung Bo, who recently joined them from Chester Zoo, and the all-female herd, which until recently included Dina (40), Asha (17), Samiya (10), Zinda (7), and Avani (8).
Asian elephants find themselves on the brink of extinction due to the loss of their natural habitats, conflicts arising from humans over farming fields, and the uncontrolled hunting of them for the purpose of obtaining their ivory tusks. The current count of these elephants, still in their wild habitats, is reckoned to be in the range of 40,000 to 50,000.