The Louisville Zoo is heartbroken to announce that beloved elephant calf, Fitz, passed away after a brief battle with endotheliotropic herpesvirus, more widely known as the EEHV virus. Fitz was the offspring of 37-year-old elephant Mikki and would have turned four years old on August 2.
Elephants Mikki and Punch appear to be behaving normally and will be closely monitored by Zoo staff for any behavioral or medical changes.
While most elephants worldwide are believed to be born with or exposed to the EEHV virus shortly after birth, it often remains dormant in their bodies. It is unknown what leads the virus to cause hemorrhagic disease — EEHV-HD. Many elephants can fight off the disease, but it is much harder for weaned calves, who are no longer protected by their mother’s antibodies.
The Zoo's entire team of keepers and vets had been working around the clock to help the elephant calf with support from AZA-accredited zoos around the country.
Further information will be shared soon about how the community may join in honoring Fitz.
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