Thu Sep 12 01:30:00 UTC 2024: ## Dublin Zoo Elephants Recover from Deadly Virus, New Male Joins Herd
**Dublin, Ireland** – All Asian elephants at Dublin Zoo have fully recovered from an outbreak of the deadly elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) that claimed the lives of two young elephants this summer. The remaining elephants, including Dina, Samiya, and Asha, have been given a clean bill of health, bringing relief to zoo staff and the public.
The outbreak, which saw all elephants in the herd test positive for the virus, put Dublin Zoo’s elephant habitat on high alert. Zoo staff worked tirelessly for months, providing around-the-clock care to the animals, leading to a “bittersweet” victory, as Director Dr Christoph Schwitzer described it.
“It was hard on the team,” said Dr Schwitzer, “We lost two young elephants, a seven and an eight year old, and that’s tragic.” Despite the loss, he expressed gratitude for the survival of the remaining elephants and commended the dedication of the veterinary team, led by Dr Emma Flynn, who put in “thousands of hours” treating the animals.
The news of the elephants’ recovery is paired with the arrival of Aung Bo, a male elephant who has joined the herd after arriving from Chester Zoo. His presence brings hope for a future of new elephant calves, as the zoo plans to continue its successful breeding program.
“He seems to be having a lot of fun,” Dr Schwitzer said of Aung Bo’s integration. “Asha in particular took to him very well.” Dr Schwitzer added that the zoo is “quietly hopeful for elephant calves in the future.”
The EEHV outbreak, similar to the COVID-19 pandemic in humans, saw different elephants react in varying ways to the virus. While some succumbed to the disease, others displayed no symptoms at all.
The outbreak sparked public interest in the virus and its impact on elephants. The zoo received messages of support from concerned citizens, as well as offers of assistance from researchers. The experience has led to a collaboration with scientists from various fields, aiming to develop more effective treatment options for the virus.
“What we’ve learned here will further our understanding and hopefully the research done here will lead to some treatments that can help towards managing the disease someday,” said Dr Flynn.
The recovery of the Dublin Zoo elephants serves as a testament to the dedication of the zoo staff and the resilience of the animals. The zoo’s continued commitment to elephant care and research holds promise for a brighter future for the species.
First Piper 