News Stories
Herpesvirus claims another elephant as search for answers continues
By R. Scott Nolen
This past May the Berlin Zoo announced that Ko Raya, a 2-year-old female Asian elephant, had died of an infection caused by a particularly virulent species of herpesvirus discovered only within the past two decades.
With few exceptions, herpesviruses don’t cause clinically important disease. The virus that caused Ko Raya’s death, however, was one of several novel elephant endotheliotropic herpesviruses now considered among the most serious challenges to the Asian elephant’s survival in captivity and the wild. No vaccine is available for EEHV, nor are there any reliable treatment options for the disease, which accounts for a quarter of young, captive Asian elephant deaths.
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June 7, 2011
FIFTH-GRADE BOYS RAISE MONEY TO HELP SAVE THE ENDANGERED ASIAN ELEPHANT
During June the International Elephant Foundation (IEF)and other elephant experts celebrated the accomplishment of Alex Rines and Vinnie Christiano, best friends and students at Lindbergh Elementary in Kenmore, NY, who spearheaded an effort to raise $500 for elephant conservation. After contacting the IEF, Alex, Vinnie and their fellow students decided their contribution could do the most good by supporting research into Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV).
Neria is 5 years old and the daughter of a colleague of mine, Sarah. She and her dance friends are wearing the wristbands and spreading the word about EEHV. Also, Neria’s friend, Stephanie saw WATER FOR ELEPHANTS and simply HAD TO RIDE an elephant. She was at Santa Ana Zoo this past weekend and rode Rosie! I told Sarah that Rosie is JP’s mom! She was very, very excited about that and thrilled to wear the wristband!!
