Four-year-old elephant dies in zoo - herpes virus
A young elephant at Hagenbeck Zoo has died within just two days, probably due to a herpes virus infection. Despite constant monitoring and treatment by the zoo vets, all measures were unsuccessful, the zoo announced in Hamburg on Thursday. The almost five-year-old animal Santosh died on Wednesday. He was born at the zoo on December 24, 2018 and was the youngest elephant in the herd. A pathological examination will now be carried out to find out exactly what led to the young bull's death.
The virus, against which there is no vaccination, is dangerous for all young elephants up to the age of nine and there are therefore repeated deaths in zoos. "In the past 30 years, more than 30 Asian elephants have died of herpes in European zoos," said Tierpark Hagenbeck. The remaining elephants in Hamburg are not at risk of contracting the virus because they are already over the risk age.
The herpes virus is detrimental to young elephants, causing diseases and leading to numerous fatalities in European zoos. Despite being a common issue among animals up to nine years old, the remaining elephants in the Hamburg zoo are not at risk due to their advanced age.
Source: www.dpa.com
