The Dublin Zoo has reported that a third elephant has been found to have contracted the deadly Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV), reveals the zoo’s director, Christoph Schwitzer. Asha, a 17-year-old elephant, is this latest victim, although she shows no symptoms of the disease. Unfortunately, this same virus claimed the lives of two younger elephants, seven-year-old Zinda and eight-year-old Avani.
The other inhabitants of the zoo’s Kaziranga Forest Trail area – including recently-arrived bull elephant Aung Bo, 40-year-old Dina, and 10-year-old Samiya – have all tested negative for EEHV. This lethal virus, with a mortality rate reaching 85%, primarily targets juvenile elephants regardless of whether they’re wild or in captivity. Fortunately, it does not pose a risk to other species or humans.
Schwitzer has expressed hope that Asha, being 17, may already possess antibodies in her immune system to help in battling the virus. Yet he admits that even older elephants are still vulnerable to the ‘devil’ that is EEHV. He anxiously awaits results from a lab in the Netherlands to understand Asha’s antibody status, which he expects to receive within 48 hours.
Schwitzer also revealed the heartbreaking impact of Zinda’s and Avani’s losses on the other elephants, who have been mourning their departed companions. As part of the elephants’ grieving process, the deceased are left among the herd for a while to allow their peers to understand and cope with their grief. Schwitzer explained that such understanding allows them to make peace with their loss, contributing to a distinct, sombre mood in the herd.
The cause of the virus infiltrating the habitat, according to one professional, is its ability to hibernate in animals for an indefinite period. The virus is akin to a human herpesvirus. “Our herd had previously been touched by the virus. One of our female elephants was a carrier for a brief period but the disease was not lethal for her. Therefore, we are aware of its existence within the flock, as it is common in both zoo and wild elephants,” he reported.
He accentuated that the current predicament and the resulting fatalities are distressing for both the animals and their carers, as well as the general public. He assured that the zoo will invest all resources in studying the virus in a bid to develop a vaccine.
Chester Zoo and Houston zoo in Texas are said to be spearheading these efforts within the worldwide zoo community. Dublin Zoo has also made a contribution by providing samples.
Emma Flynn, a veterinarian at Dublin Zoo, made it clear that their medical team is employing all available anti-viral treatments to assist Asha. They are cautiously optimistic that with their aid, Asha’s immune system will be stimulated enough to combat the infection.
However, Flynn noted that the virus doesn’t disappear instantly and complete eradication is impossible. It could take several months until it ceases to present clinical disease. She also explained that after an elephant succumbs to the virus, it’s incinerated following an autopsy. But caution must be exercised regarding bio security given that the virus doesn’t pose a risk to other species.