Dublin Zoo has announced that its herd of elephants is now healthy following the outbreak of a virus that led to the deaths of two Asian elephants earlier this year.
The zoo confirmed that three elephants who had tested positive for Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV) have fully recovered and are no longer at risk.
EEHV is a life-threatening virus that poses a significant threat to elephants both in human care and in the wild, impacting the survival of these endangered species globally. The virus can remain dormant in elephants for years, but when activated, it can cause severe internal bleeding and death. Younger elephants, who are less likely to have developed sufficient immunity to EEHV, are particularly vulnerable to the virus.
In July, the virus claimed the lives of two elephants, eight-year-old Avani and seven-year-old Zinda. Dublin Zoo Director Dr. Christoph Schwitzer expressed that while the zoo is “relieved” about the herd’s current good health, it is “a bittersweet moment” after the loss of Avani and Zinda.
“This outcome is the result of two months of unwavering dedication and hard work from our animal care and veterinary teams, whose commitment has made us incredibly proud,” he said.
“We are determined to use our experiences during this trying time for Dublin Zoo in a positive way, and the widespread interest in the story has led to outreach from the Irish scientific community, who were keen to offer assistance and advice. A number of these conversations, while at an early stage, offer a potential path towards an effective treatment of EEHV.”
Dublin Zoo also acknowledged the exceptional efforts of its animal care and veterinary teams, who “worked tirelessly during the most critical and challenging days of this emergency, regularly consulting with international experts in elephant health and virology.” They highlighted the work of vet Niamh McGill, who returned from maternity leave, with her husband bringing their baby to the zoo so she could continue breastfeeding while caring for the elephants.
In a statement, Dublin Zoo expressed gratitude for the “invaluable support” it received from Chester Zoo in the UK, which provided blood products to help combat the virus. The zoo also received assistance from the Government in importing these products, with gardaí escorting them to the zoo.
Dublin Zoo thanked the public for their support, received through social media messages and letters during what it described as “one of the toughest periods” it has faced.