Prague Zoo: Amalee the elephant died of herpes. How does the virus kill?
Amalee would have celebrated her third birthday in May. Her sudden death devastated breeders and supporters of Prague’s elephants. The sad news was published on social networks by the director of the zoo, Miroslav Bobek. The fatal disease mainly affects baby elephants. “It has a very fast course that takes even immediate treatment to stop. Unfortunately, this was also the case with Amalee,” said Bobek, adding that the Prague Zoo will publish detailed information only next week.
The insidiousness of the herpes virus lies mainly in its speed. An animal can die within hours, even minutes. The fact that there is no drug that works quickly and effectively yet also plays its role in mortality. The only and strong protection of baby elephants against is mother’s milk, which strengthens their immunity. However, this is not always enough. According to experience, herpes is no longer so dangerous for adult elephants.
There are eight of them now
The Prague herd now numbers eight elephants, namely the leading elephant Ankor, two already grown cubs Max and Rudolf, born in 2016. In addition, the adult herd includes the female Janita, mother Amalee, Tamara, Gulab, Shanti and now the youngest Lakuna, who will be three years in March.
He also killed in Ostrava
The Ostrava zoo also had a sad experience. The herpes virus, which threatens elephants worldwide, killed two-year-old female Sumitra there in January 2016.
Zoo: Elephants and their occurrence in Bohemia Videohub
Amalee.
Author: Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo