They are true partners and friends of the Columbus Zoo,” he said.īeco was born at the Columbus Zoo on Mato mother, Phoebe, and father, Coco. And I am also thankful for our colleagues around the country who provided plasma, blood, expertise and support. “I am proud of the expertise, compassion, and devotion of our care teams, and the dedication they showed throughout this fight was nothing short of inspirational. Even during these sad times, Columbus Zoo staff remains committed to the future of wildlife and we take some comfort knowing that valuable scientific data from Beco’s illness will be applied to helping to save the lives of other elephants,” said Tom Schmid, President and CEO of the Columbus Zoo. We are extremely grateful for the support we have received from our colleagues at other zoos, and the condolences from our community, who mourns with us. “The loss of any animal is hard, but losing a young, elephant is especially devastating. Prior to the confirmed diagnosis on June 16, Beco’s most recent blood work was normal. Currently, there are no signs of EEHV in the other six members of the elephant herd, though the Zoo’s Animal Care and Animal Health teams continue to monitor them closely.
Because EEHV is particularly a threat to all young elephants, the Zoo’s care team proactively uses the latest EEHV detection methods and protocols to test the most vulnerable elephants in the herd weekly. Whether it’s a calf at a zoo, or the young of a herd in the wilds of Asia, EEHV can strike without any known causes or reason.Įxperts are also aware that the virus can progress rapidly, and early detection is critical. Regardless of age, EEHV does not discriminate between zoo elephants and elephants in the wild. Adult elephants are less susceptible to the virus because their immune system is more robust. Elephants are most susceptible to EEHV from ages 1-8 years, though elephants in their teens have also died of the virus.
In some elephants, including younger animals that have less immunities to disease, the virus grows and can create life-threating health risks. Researchers have confirmed that elephants, like most mammals, can carry different herpesviruses throughout their lives and usually those viruses remain dormant and do not cause illness. He also received regular infusions of plasma, whole blood, and stem cells provided by an incredible support network of other zoo facilities throughout the United States. Treatments started with antiviral medications and fluids. The Zoo’s care team immediately began working around the clock to treat Beco’s illness. The lab confirmed later that evening that Beco was positive for active EEHV.
Concerned, they quickly contacted the Animal Health team, who collected and sent Beco’s blood sample to the National Elephant Herpesvirus Laboratory at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo for analysis. Ganesh, a 7-year-old Indian elephant died in 2005.ĭuring the morning hours of Thursday, June 16, his attentive care team noticed that Beco was uncharacteristically lethargic. from Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV), a life-threatening virus affecting elephants living in the wild and in sanctuaries and zoos worldwide.īeco is the second elephant to succumb to EEHV at the Columbus Zoo. Despite the heroic efforts of his devoted Animal Care and Animal Health teams and the expertise of other zoo professionals and scientists across the country, Beco passed away today at approximately 11 a.m. Powell, OH – The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is mourning the loss of beloved 13-year-old male Asian elephant, Beco.
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