The Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, NY announced Friday the death of a second elephant calf in days.
5-year-old Batu died due to Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpes Virus (EEHV) early Friday morning, said Rosamond Gifford Zoo Director Ted Fox. EEHV is caused by a strain of herpes virus that targets Asian elephants.
Batu’s little brother, Ajay, died from the virus on Tuesday.
Fox said the zoo’s elephant team and veterinary staff from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine worked tirelessly all week trying to save Batu while the “viral load” of EEHV in his blood grew by the day.