Elephant named Man Jai suddenly dies at Melbourne Zoo after being struck down by mysterious disease
Elephant named Man Jai suddenly dies at Melbourne Zoo after being stricken with a mysterious illness
- Young elephant dies after contracting a deadly disease
- Man Jai has worked at the Melbourne Zoo since his birth in 2013
A young elephant has died at the Melbourne Zoo after a brief battle with an incurable disease that has left the rest of his herd ‘grieving’.
Nine-year-old Asian elephant, Man Jai, died in the early hours of Thursday after being diagnosed with Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV), a disease with an 85 percent fatality rate.
While many elephants can carry the disease without showing any symptoms, it becomes extremely dangerous when an animal becomes symptomatic.
Veterinarians worked tirelessly to save Man Jai, who had been on antiviral treatment since Monday, but the zoo said it was impossible to save him.
Man Jai had been with the Melbourne Zoo since his birth in December 2013 and had become a beloved of his keepers and visitors.
A nine-year-old Asian elephant, Man Jai (pictured), has tragically died after contracting a deadly disease that lay dormant and suddenly reactivated
Melbourne Zoo confirmed that Man Jai’s keepers first noticed the possible signs of EEHV while working with his herd.
“On Monday, his specialist keepers, who closely and regularly monitor the herd for signs of this disease, noticed swelling in his neck and an unusual lethargy,” the zoo confirmed on Instagram.
The zoo said both Man Jai’s herd and their caretakers were left “devastated” and “grieving” over the young elephant’s death.
“We will fondly remember their special bond, splashing in the pool together and sliding down mud piles,” the zoo said.
“Man Jai would always brighten up our day and make everyone who saw him laugh.
“He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.”
The zoo’s director, Sheri Horiszny, described the elephant as “playful, cheerful and adored by his herd and everyone who knew him.”
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of such a spectacular elephant, and we will all miss him immensely,” said Ms Horiszny.
Man Jai’s keepers and herd at Melbourne Zoo are ‘devastated’ and in a state of mourning for the elephant who had been at the zoo since his birth in 2013
Most Asian elephants naturally carry one or more of the numerous EEHV viruses, which often lie dormant throughout their lives.
However, the disease can occasionally reactivate and cause severe symptoms that are difficult to treat in younger elephants.
Man Jai fell within the age group most affected by reactivations of the disease, namely young people under the age of 10.
Despite posing no threat to humans, Melbourne Zoo has temporarily closed the elephant exhibit to test the rest of the herd for EEHV.