Asian Elephants in Europe 2022

[Gil]

Yes, this death is even more tragic, as Zurich hadn't register any EEHV related death for 19 years... I think Ruwani is safe, at least for now. The family group of Umesh was isolated in the off-show indoor zone, and has no contact in daily-life with Ruwani's group. So let's cross fingers she won't contract the virus.

 

[Yassa]

But Ceyla and Farha, Ruwanis mother and grandmother, also carry the virus (like all adult elephants), and the two families have most likely contact through the fence. No calf is ever safe from EEHV. But Ruwani is already 5 and past the most dangerous time.

 

[Hyak_II]

Very sad news The virus hit him swiftly and aggressively, unfortunately. I agree, it’s rather sad he passed away, he was shaping up to likely be a stunning bull once he matured, as mentioned.

On the flipside though, as of today, Minh Tan at Osnabruk is officially over the virus! And on top of that, he is scheduled to move to a bachelor facility come July.

 

[Gil]

But Ceyla and Farha, Ruwanis mother and grandmother, also carry the virus (like all adult elephants)

So how the virus is transmitted ? The adults carry the virus, which can at anytime seriously affect young elephants ?

 

[Elephant Enthusiast]

So how the virus is transmitted ? The adults carry the virus, which can at anytime seriously affect young elephants ?

The virus isn't transmitted from adults to calves but rather all elephants, African and Asian, carry different strains of the virus. When the virus becomes active, adults shed the virus through trunk secretions and are usually asymptomatic, while calves typically undergo the highly fatal hemorrhagic disease as their immune systems are not strong enough to fight off the virus. It's uncertain what triggers the virus to become active, which has made fighting the virus all the more difficult.

 

[TigerStripe]

Zürich's 2 years old bull Umesh has contracted the herpes virus... The treatment has begun as soon as the zoo discovered he was sick. He hasn't shown serious symptoms yet, but his current state of health is critical

Unfortunately Umesh died last night, despite intensive health care

 

[ZCChip]

The virus isn't transmitted from adults to calves but rather all elephants, African and Asian, carry different strains of the virus. When the virus becomes active, adults shed the virus through trunk secretions and are usually asymptomatic, while calves typically undergo the highly fatal hemorrhagic disease as their immune systems are not strong enough to fight off the virus. It's uncertain what triggers the virus to become active, which has made fighting the virus all the more difficult.

This is only a suspicion: I believe that the virus is linked to the antibodies. If an adult has healthy antibodies, it is able to fully fight the virus off but if the younger elephant has it and succumbs to the virus because of the antibodies not being fully developed.

Thoughts?

 

[Zoofan15]

This is only a suspicion: I believe that the virus is linked to the antibodies. If an adult has healthy antibodies, it is able to fully fight the virus off but if the younger elephant has it and succumbs to the virus because of the antibodies not being fully developed.

Thoughts?

Maternal antibodies undoubtably offer protection to calves, as evidenced by the wave of cases that occur following weaning.

A study was conducted that also revealed juveniles within a large herd e.g. an orphanage had higher antibody levels than those within a smaller social setting (e.g. a European Zoo):

Young elephants in a large herd maintain high levels of elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus-specific antibodies and do not succumb to fatal hemorrhagic disease - PubMed

The average antibody level of the European juveniles (one to five years of age) was significantly lower than those of age-matched Sri Lankan individuals. Moreover, the European juveniles showed a gradual decrease between one and four years of age, to be attributed to waning maternal antibodies.

Maintenance of high levels of antibodies in spite of waning maternal antibodies in young Sri Lankan elephants is likely due to the larger herd size that increases the likelihood of contact with EEHV-shedding elephants.

 

[The Hedgehog]

When you say Umesh was shaping up to be a good Bull,was he like Anjan at Chester? I’ve only seen Anjan in photos but hes a majestic looking juvenile.

 

[Gil]

After having compared some photos of both at around 2 years, I can tell they were quite similar. Maybe Anjan is a bit less bulky than Umesh was, but it isn't a striking difference. Umesh had very special eyes, they looked like they were painted by Picasso ! Anjan looks indeed like a beautiful juvenile, and I don't doubt he will become a majestic bull later.
Hussein family tree loses two members in less than a month, as he was Umesh and Raj's grandfather... I'm curious if there will be any new pregnancy at Zürich, as all three young elephants born in 2020 have now died...

 

[Zoofan15]

After having compared some photos of both at around 2 years, I can tell they were quite similar. Maybe Anjan is a bit less bulky than Umesh was, but it isn't a striking difference. Umesh had very special eyes, they looked like they were painted by Picasso ! Anjan looks indeed like a beautiful juvenile, and I don't doubt he will become a majestic bull later.
Hussein family tree loses two members in less than a month, as he was Umesh and Raj's grandfather... I'm curious if there will be any new pregnancy at Zürich, as all three young elephants born in 2020 have now died...

I too am curious as Indi (1986) could easily be pregnant again. Her daughter, Omysha (2014), will presumably be breeding in the near future also as it will be two years in August since her previous calf died and she is now eight years old.

They will also be considering succession of Indi’s matrilineal line in long term planning - of which Omysha represents the best chance. Indi’s eldest daughter is apparently a behavioural non breeder - she crosses her legs when the bull attempts to mount.

In the event Indi is pregnant again, that means that all three calves that died had a pregnant mother at their time of death from EEHV. Ceyla was pregnant in 1999 and 2003 when her calves died.

 

[The Hedgehog]

After having compared some photos of both at around 2 years, I can tell they were quite similar. Maybe Anjan is a bit less bulky than Umesh was, but it isn't a striking difference. Umesh had very special eyes, they looked like they were painted by Picasso ! Anjan looks indeed like a beautiful juvenile, and I don't doubt he will become a majestic bull later.
Hussein family tree loses two members in less than a month, as he was Umesh and Raj's grandfather... I'm curious if there will be any new pregnancy at Zürich, as all three young elephants born in 2020 have now died...

@Gil I wonder if Umesh would have devolved Tusks?

 

[Hyak_II]

@Gil I wonder if Umesh would have devolved Tusks?

Considering he already had them coming in at 2 years old, I think it’s safe to say he likely would have.

 

[Gil]

I too am curious as Indi (1986) could easily be pregnant again. Her daughter, Omysha (2014), will presumably be breeding in the near future also as it will be two years in August since her previous calf died and she is now eight years old.

I think this would be the last pregnancies before Thai leaves, as Ruwani will soon be in a breeding situation. I saw some recent photos of Farha, and she looks really fat, and her tits look bigger than normally. But it's always hard to say if an elephant is pregnant or not, especially with Farha, as her mother has a big belly and big tits, but hasn't been pregnant for 17 years.

 

[Zoofan15]

I think this would be the last pregnancies before Thai leaves, as Ruwani will soon be in a breeding situation. I saw some recent photos of Farha, and she looks really fat, and her tits look bigger than normally. But it's always hard to say if an elephant is pregnant or not, especially with Farha, as her mother has a big belly and big tits, but hasn't been pregnant for 17 years.

As we saw with Omysha, elephants as young as four can conceive, so five year old Ruwani should definitely be kept seperate from her sire by this stage.

As an alternative to bringing in a new bull after the next cohort of calves, they could retain Thai for another eight years or so. He could continue to breed with Indi, Farha and Omysha; while breeding from Ruwani could be delayed until she’s in her mid teens (and a new bull replaces Thai). Indi would be in her mid 40’s by then and removed from the breeding cohort.

That sounds promising re. Farha. She’s in her prime, so any changes to her body shape should be more noticeable than a middle aged cow who has had multiple births over the years.

 

[Gil]

As an alternative to bringing in a new bull after the next cohort of calves, they could retain Thai for another eight years or so. He could continue to breed with Indi, Farha and Omysha; while breeding from Ruwani could be delayed until she’s in her mid teens (and a new bull replaces Thai). Indi would be in her mid 40’s by then and removed from the breeding cohort.

That could be a great option for sure. I hope that the two herds will one day be merged (maybe after Ceyla Himali's death) , and it would even maybe allow Zürich to house a second bull, in the idea an adolescent one, as it was the case with Maxi and Thai (even if Maxi was far older than Thai).

That sounds promising re. Farha. She’s in her prime, so any changes to her body shape should be more noticeable than a middle aged cow who has had multiple births over the years.

I've seen this picture, and she really looks "round", and her tits are very visible. What are your thoughts about this ?
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[Zoofan15]

I've seen this picture, and she really looks "round", and her tits are very visible. What are your thoughts about this ?
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She definitely looks pregnant!

Zurich aren’t forthcoming in announcing their elephant pregnancies (typical of a European zoo), so all we have to go on besides photos is the inter-birth intervals, which suggest multiple cows could be pregnant.

Farha’s last calf died in 2020, so it wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume a subsequent calf to be born anytime from late 2022 to early 2023.

Indi’s last calf (born February 2020) survived to two years, so statistically the earliest we could expect a calf from her is early 2023. Given her age, I’d suggest a longer birth interval (calf due late 2023/early 2024) is more likely - which would place her in the earlier stages of pregnancy at this point in time.

 

[The Hedgehog]

As we saw with Omysha, elephants as young as four can conceive, so five year old Ruwani should definitely be kept seperate from her sire by this stage.

As an alternative to bringing in a new bull after the next cohort of calves, they could retain Thai for another eight years or so. He could continue to breed with Indi, Farha and Omysha; while breeding from Ruwani could be delayed until she’s in her mid teens (and a new bull replaces Thai). Indi would be in her mid 40’s by then and removed from the breeding cohort.

That sounds promising re. Farha. She’s in her prime, so any changes to her body shape should be more noticeable than a middle aged cow who has had multiple births over the years.

@Zoofan15 bearing in mind you think Ruwani should be separated from her Sire,do you think Indali from Chester should be separated from Aung Bo? If this is the case could Zurich and Chester swap Bulls? Is Zurich’s Bull related to Upali The Sire and Grandad to the Calf’s at Chester. If so my idea can be scrapped.

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15 bearing in mind you think Ruwani should be separated from her Sire,do you think Indali from Chester should be separated from Aung Bo? If this is the case could Zurich and Chester swap Bulls? Is Zurich’s Bull related to Upali The Sire and Grandad to the Calf’s at Chester. If so my idea can be scrapped.

Zurich’s bull (Thai) is unrelated to Upali, who is the full brother of Farha (one of the cows Thai has bred with).

I doubt Aung Bo will move from Chester anytime soon given he’s participating in a vaccine trial for EEHV. Exporting him would be a major disruption to this trial and pointless when Chester doesn’t need to breed from Indali in the immediate future (given she’s only five years old).

A repeat breeding (or two) from Aung Bo and Sundara is more likely imo while the vaccine trial continues; with an unrelated bull brought in to breed with Indali and Riva further down the line.

 

[Hyak_II]

Zurich’s bull (Thai) is unrelated to Upali, who is the full brother of Farha (one of the cows Thai has bred with).

I doubt Aung Bo will move from Chester anytime soon given he’s participating in a vaccine trial for EEHV. Exporting him would be a major disruption to this trial and pointless when Chester doesn’t need to breed from Indali in the immediate future (given she’s only five years old).

A repeat breeding (or two) from Aung Bo and Sundara is more likely imo while the vaccine trial continues; with an unrelated bull brought in to breed with Indali and Riva further down the line.

There’s also a good chance Chester would just be willing to inbreed Indali with Aung Bo as well. They have deliberately inbred to produce a first calf before, I have absolutely no doubt they would be willing to do it again, barring any repercussions from the EEP.