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
-
Amanemu: an ultra-luxury onsen retreat in Japan's Ise-Shima National Park
The Week Recommends Soak in blissful private solitude among pine-cloaked hills and steamy hot springs
By Scott Campbell Published
-
Today's political cartoons - December 23, 2024
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - immigrant jobs, crypto scams, and more
By The Week US Published
-
A foodie's tour of Louisiana
The Week Recommends The state's hedonistic spirit is reflected in its celebration of good food
By Natasha Langan Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
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