Grief in the zoo: Little elephant Otto dies of Herpesvirus!

Grief in the zoo: Little elephant Otto dies of Herpesvirus!

Leipzig, Deutschland - Sad news from the Hellabrunn zoo in Munich: The four and a half year old elephant bull Otto died on June 16 from the consequences of herpes infection. As Br24 , the illness began on Saturday with the first sign of exhaustion. Despite immediately initiated medical measures, including the administration of his father's blood plasma, Otto's condition deteriorated dramatically.

infections with the elephant endotheliotropic herpes virus (EEHV-1), which is often fatal in young elephants, are a big problem in the zoo world. The veterinarians of the Hellabrunn zoo had to react hectic, but how thuringia24 , it was too late even with the best efforts. Otto's death triggered great grief among the nurses and in the entire elephant group because the young bull was known to be particularly socially known.

Farewell to Otto and the future of the elephant herd

The rest of the elephant herd had the opportunity to say goodbye to Otto, which was an emotional matter for everything involved. Rani and Savani, two elephants moved to Munich, said goodbye "as usual with elephants by Otto", as the zoo explained in a explanation. These two elephants previously lived in the Leipzig Zoo and have now settled in well in their new surroundings. The zoo even hopes for offspring, as in the MDR soap "Elefant, Tiger & Co." was mentioned.

Unfortunately, this sad episode is only a small part of the big problem with which many zoos are currently facing. For several years there have always been reports on elephant cub who die from this dangerous virus. In the past five years, four elephant young animals have died to EEHV in the Hagenbeck zoo in Hamburg, as the facility itself announced. The Hagenbeck Foundation is actively involved in research on the development of a vaccine and has made significant means available for protecting the weakest animals in the European Zoo community. Dr. Westhoff, zoological director, underlines the urgency of this research, since the vaccine does not yet exist and the danger to young animals remains high.

A look at elephant research

The challenges arising from this virus are a topic that the zoos deals with all over Europe. Sales of Asian elephants are very popular, and one of the greatest dangers threatens. The statistics show that around 20 % of the Asian elephants born in Zoos die from the consequences of an EEHV infection. Up to this point, the problem is so acute that many young elephants between two and nine years have died of the disease in the wild alone.

The European Zoo community is aware of the problem and there are numerous initiatives to combat the virus. Initial vaccinations already took place in the Rotterdam Zoo, which makes a bright spot on the horizon visible. Ultimately, the joint use of the zoo could find the key to turn the fate of the elephant young animals.

The elephant house in the Hellabrunn zoo is open to visitors again on June 17, and the team hopes that the remaining elephants will remain healthy. Not only are mourning in the zoo these days, but also fought for the future and the protection of these majestic animals.