Dublin Zoo 'devastated' to announce death of second elephant from incurable virus

Zinda is the second elephant to die from suspected elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) following the death of Avani, aged eight, on July 1. Picture: Dublin Zoo

Dublin Zoo has announced the death of a second elephant from an incurable virus.

Staff and management at the zoo said they were “devastated” to announce the loss of Zinda, the “beloved 7-year-old elephant".

Zinda is the second elephant to die from suspected elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) following the death of Avani, aged eight, on July 1.

It is the third animal death at the zoo in just over a week — an orangutan died from an “unrelated illness”.

In a statement on its website, Dublin Zoo said it was "devastated to announce the loss of Zinda, our beloved 7-year-old elephant, to the Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus [EEHV]".

“Despite round-the-clock care and international efforts, Zinda's condition deteriorated. She passed this evening.

“This tragic news comes shortly after the passing of Avani on July 1st, 2024, from the same virus.

“Our other elephants are being closely monitored, although they are not showing signs of the EEHV virus.” 

EEHV causes acute, fatal haemorrhagic disease in wild and captive juvenile Asian and African elephants, and in severe cases, the virus can result in death within 24 hours.

In a statement online, a spokesperson for the zoo said the virus “poses no risk to humans but is often fatal to young elephants”.

Typical clinical signs of EEHV include lethargy, anorexia, mild colic, and tachycardia.

Avani, the other Dublin Zoo elephant that recently died. Picture: Facebook/Dublin Zoo

Significant threat

“Although EEHV is very common and affects both elephants in the wild and in zoos, it poses a significant threat,” the zoo said.

Zoo staff are now taking measures to “protect the rest of our herd and as per our protocols”.

“Dublin Zoo has enacted its EEHV response plan and is consulting with leading international experts in elephant health, virology, and wildlife management, including Dr Thomas Hildebrandt and his team,” the statement said.

“Their expertise will guide our ongoing efforts to protect the rest of the herd, particularly its younger members under the age of 10, as older elephants are not as vulnerable to illness from the EEHV virus.

“There is currently no vaccination against EEHV but zoos and wildlife researchers around the world are working effortlessly to develop one with the aim of safeguarding the future of the elephant population from this disease."