Australian zoo begins elephant virus vaccine trial
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Zookeepers at Werribee Open Range Zoo in Australia began vaccinating three young elephants against elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV), a deadly virus that affects Asian elephants. This marks the first time elephants in Australia are participating in a vaccine trial, joining efforts already underway in Europe and the United States.
The zoo has been closely monitoring its elephants for EEHV since losing a nine-year-old elephant named Man Jai to the virus three years ago, now conducting weekly tests to detect the disease early. Veterinary scientist Tabitha Hoornweg of Utrecht University in the Netherlands leads one of the teams developing the vaccine, building on research showing all elephants carry the virus but young calves are most vulnerable.
Her team previously tested the vaccine’s safety on older elephants and is now focused on proving its effectiveness in protecting young calves from developing the severe form of the disease. The vaccine works by preparing the elephant’s immune system to fight off the virus. The process of vaccinating the elephants requires extensive training, with keepers using positive reinforcement, primarily fruit treats, to encourage the animals to cooperate with procedures like trunk washes used for virus detection.
Zookeepers say the training builds trust between the animals and their caretakers. Ms. Truelson hopes the trial will honor Man Jai’s memory and prevent future losses to EEHV, a virus that has killed over 90 elephants in zoos and an estimated 100-150 in the wild over the past 25 years.
