indali the elephant calf, fighting for her life back in 2019. vets at chester zoo diagnosed the young elephant with a dangerous viral infection. it s called elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus. it s often lethal and vets and scientists have been battling it for decades. it s an elephant herpesvirus. they have lesions in the mouth, they will get a fever, lethargy. but once we see the symptoms, normally it s too late. we ve generally lost calves within 24 hours. wow, that quickly? yes, that quickly. up to 85% of elephants that develop the disease don t survive and most cruelly it often affects the very young calves. now though, a glimmer of scientific hope. elephant two setting up to move out to training pen one. the elephants here are involved in a first ever trial of an experimental potentially life saving vaccine.
they will get a fever, lethargy. but once we see the symptoms, normally it s too late. we ve generally lost calves within 2a hours. wow, that quickly? yes, that quickly. up to 85% of elephants that develop the disease don t survive and most cruelly it often affects the very young calves. now, though, a glimmer of scientific hope. elephant two setting up to move out to training pen one. the elephants here are involved in a first ever trial of an experimental potentially life saving vaccine. it s research that s only possible because these elephants participate. he s five tonnes, he will cooperate if he feels like it. it s a lot of positive reinforcement from the keepers, but it s also mutual respect. the new vaccine uses the same basic design as one that s already proven to be safe in elephants. its aim is to prime the animal s immune systems.