Two young elephants die days apart in Indianapolis Zoo
The Indianapolis Zoo is experiencing a tragedy of enormous proportions.
One of the zoo's youngest elephants died on Tuesday, the zoo announced, just days after another young elephant in the herd died.
"We are devastated to announce that a second African elephant in our herd, Kalina, died earlier today," the zoo said in a statement, per NBC News. "Words cannot describe the emotional impact this is having on our Zoo family."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Six-year-old Nyah, was the first elephant to die. Eight-year-old Kalina died nearly a week later. The youngsters, who belonged to a herd of African elephants faced similar signs of illness including abdominal discomfort, the zoo said.
Nyah's tests results revealed high levels of endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) causing a fatal hemorrhagic disease in elephants, the statement said. The zoo recalled Nyah as a "beautiful, fun and curious elephant," who often followed in the footsteps of her older sister, Zahara, reports NBC News. Kalina's mother and brother remain with the herd in the Indianpolis Zoo.
The fatal infection occurs both in elephants in the wild and those who are in human care, the zoo said. There is no cure for EEHV, nor a vaccine.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
4 ways to give back this holiday season
The Explainer If your budget is feeling squeezed, remember that money is not the only way you can be generous around the holidays
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
4 tips for hosting an ecofriendly Thanksgiving
The Week Recommends Coming together for the holidays typically produces a ton of waste, but with proper preparation, you can have an environmentally friendly gathering.
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published