The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium has announced the death of Tsuni, a two-year-old elephant calf. Tsuni was diagnosed with elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) on February 8, despite showing no symptoms. This disease is common in both captive and wild elephants, especially those aged between birth and eight years old, with an 85 percent mortality rate.
Despite immediate treatment, Tsuni succumbed to the fast-acting virus. The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, the International Conservation Center (ICC) staff, and other regional zoos collaborated in an effort to save her. They provided plasma transfusions, fluid therapies, and antiviral medications, with zoos nationwide donating fresh and frozen plasma from their elephants.
Dr. Jeremy Goodman, Zoo President and CEO, acknowledged Tsuni’s death as a significant loss. He highlighted her resilience in overcoming early life medical challenges and her impact on the zoo community.
The adult elephants in the ICC herd are at low risk to EEHV, as they have developed antibodies to the disease over time. Daryl Hoffman, Vice President of Living Collections, noted that calves are born with some maternal antibodies which decrease over the first couple years of life. Tsuni’s health was compromised at birth, which may have affected her antibodies.