Ruwani becomes third elephant to die from herpes virus at Zurich Zoo

ZURICH (Reuters) – One other elephant has died at Zurich Zoo from the herpes virus, the park stated on Saturday, the third to die there from the situation because the finish of June.

Ruwani, a five-year-old elephant cow, died on Saturday morning after succumbing to Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV), a situation carried latently by almost all elephants.

Her loss of life follows that of Omysha, an eight-year-old feminine who died on July 11, and two-year-old male Umesh, who handed away on the finish of June.

Ruwani had been given anti-viral medication to guard her and confirmed no indicators of sickness till Friday, the zoo stated.

“Shedding a 3rd elephant to this dreaded virus in such a short while is a tragic loss for Zurich Zoo,” stated zoo director Severin Dressen.

“As we speak is a deeply unhappy day,” Dressen added. “It’s significantly irritating that we’re powerless in opposition to the virus regardless of one of the best veterinary care from the college animal hospital.”

Collectively together with her mom Farha and grandmother Ceyla-Himali, Ruwani fashioned one in all two teams of elephants on the Zurich Zoo. Umesh and Omysha fashioned the opposite group, together with their mom Indi and sister Chandra. The zoo additionally has a male elephant known as Thai.

Younger elephants between the ages of two and eight are significantly prone to herpes virus as safety supplied by their mom’s antibodies decreases and their very own immune system might not have fashioned its personal antibodies.

The zoo stated there was a low danger of illness for the remaining elephants, with Farha now the youngest on the age of 17, though all of the animals will proceed to be monitored.

(Reporting by John Revill; Modifying by David Holmes)