<p>Tess in Houston Zoo, Texas is doing fine after receiving the first-ever vaccine for herpesvirus affecting Asian elephants. The 40-year-old grandmother became the first Asian elephant to receive the vaccine for the deadly virus that has already killed several pachyderms and their cubs in zoos across the world, as well as in the wild.<br />
<br />
Elephant herpes virus is a deadly disease affecting the pachyderms in India, Nepal and Thailand, besides in several zoos.</p>

<p>Animal care experts and veterinary staff at Houston Zoo will closely monitor Tess to learn how effective this vaccine is for elephants, the Houston Zoo said in a release after administering the injection on 18 June.</p>

<p>The mRNA vaccine was created by Baylor College of Medicine.&nbsp;It was developed by Dr Paul Ling at Baylor College of Medicine in collaboration with Houston Zoo's veterinarians and elephant care team.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Today, Tess, our 40-year-old Asian elephant has received the first-ever dose of an mRNA vaccine created by virologists at <a href="https://twitter.com/bcmhouston?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bcmhouston</a> to prevent the deadly elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) 1A—a devastating viral disease in Asian elephants worldwide. (1/2) <a href="https://t.co/uvtqmLgWza">pic.twitter.com/uvtqmLgWza</a></p>
— Houston Zoo (@houstonzoo) <a href="https://twitter.com/houstonzoo/status/1803156974974148790?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
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"The vaccine’s effectiveness will be measured by evaluating antibody levels in her blood while monitoring for specific side effects or adverse reactions such as injection site swelling or allergic reaction," the Houston zoo statement said.<br />
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Tess, mother to Tucker (19), Tupelo (13), Tilly (6), and Teddy (3) and grandmother to Winnie (3), is currently doing well post-vaccination, it added.</p>

<p>Trials, mainly on horses, had shown that the mRNA vaccine can induce antibodies against the virus with no adverse side effects.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The zoo intends to vaccinate more elephants in its herd and monitor them.</p>

<p>There are also plans to send the vaccine to elephants in other parts of the world both in captivity and in the wild.</p>

<p>A vaccine for African elephants is also on the anvil.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/elephants-use-names-to-communicate-study-730737"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Elephants use names to communicate: Study</strong></a></p>

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<h2>What is elephant herpesvirus killing Asian elephants?</h2>

<p>Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus or EEHV 1A is a deadly viral disease that is killing Asian elephants worldwide, both in captivity and in the wild.&nbsp;Asian elephants in some of the world's zoos have been dying because of herpesvirus.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In July this year, two elephants died from the virus at Dublin zoo. In the recent past, baby elephants have died in zoos in Chester, Melbourne and Zurich of the virus, which has a high mortality rate of about 70%.</p>

<p>In 2022, a five-year-old elephant cow, Ruwan died in the Zurich zoo after succumbing to EEHV. She was the third to die there, the earlier casualties being a two-year-old bull Umesh and his eight-year-old sister Omysha.</p>

<p>The virus causes internal bleeding and organ failure, similar to the effects Ebola has on humans. It is particularly lethal for young Asian elephants.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-is-herpesvirus-experts-powerless-as-deadly-virus-stalks-zurich-zoo-kills-3-asian-elephants-501836"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;What is herpesvirus? Experts 'powerless' as deadly virus stalks Zurich zoo, kills 3 Asian elephants</strong></a></p>

<p>Most Asian elephants - both in the wild and in captivity - carry dormant herpesvirus. The virus, discovered in 1990 and named in 1999,&nbsp;is believed to spread through trunks of the animals.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The virus is a major driver of Asian elephant deaths in captivity.<br />
<br />
Asian elephants are facing potential extinction, with only 50,000 of the species in the wild.</p>

<p>An effective vaccine is the only solution for the herpesvirus.</p>

<p>Till now, there was no such vaccine, and treatment was mainly anti-viral medication, which often proved to be inefficient.<br />
<br />
Tess could change all that, if the experiment is successful.<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Tess in Houston Zoo, Texas is doing fine after receiving the first-ever vaccine for herpesvirus affecting Asian elephants. The 40-year-old grandmother became the first Asian elephant to receive the vaccine for the deadly virus that has already killed several pachyderms and their cubs in zoos across the world, as well as in the wild.

Tess in Houston Zoo, Texas is doing fine after receiving the first-ever vaccine for herpesvirus affecting Asian elephants. The 40-year-old grandmother became the first Asian elephant to receive the vaccine for the deadly virus that has already killed several pachyderms and their cubs in zoos across the world, as well as in the wild. Elephant herpes virus is a deadly disease affecting the pachyderms in India, Nepal and Thailand, besides in several zoos. Animal care experts and veterinary staff at Houston Zoo will closely monitor Tess to learn how effective this vaccine is for elephants, the Houston Zoo said in a release after administering the injection on 18 June. The mRNA vaccine was created by Baylor College of Medicine. It was developed by Dr Paul Ling at Baylor College of Medicine in collaboration with Houston Zoo's veterinarians and elephant care team. Today, Tess, our 40-year-old Asian elephant has received the first-ever dose of an mRNA vaccine created by virologists at @bcmhouston to prevent the deadly elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) 1A—a devastating viral disease in Asian elephants worldwide. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/uvtqmLgWza — Houston Zoo (@houstonzoo) June 18, 2024 × "The vaccine’s effectiveness will be measured by evaluating antibody levels in her blood while monitoring for specific side effects or adverse reactions such as injection site swelling or allergic reaction," the Houston zoo statement said. Tess, mother to Tucker (19), Tupelo (13), Tilly (6), and Teddy (3) and grandmother to Winnie (3), is currently doing well post-vaccination, it added. Trials, mainly on horses, had shown that the mRNA vaccine can induce antibodies against the virus with no adverse side effects. The zoo intends to vaccinate more elephants in its herd and monitor them. There are also plans to send the vaccine to elephants in other parts of the world both in captivity and in the wild. A vaccine for African elephants is also on the anvil. Watch | Elephants use names to communicate: Study × What is elephant herpesvirus killing Asian elephants? Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus or EEHV 1A is a deadly viral disease that is killing Asian elephants worldwide, both in captivity and in the wild. Asian elephants in some of the world's zoos have been dying because of herpesvirus. In July this year, two elephants died from the virus at Dublin zoo. In the recent past, baby elephants have died in zoos in Chester, Melbourne and Zurich of the virus, which has a high mortality rate of about 70%. In 2022, a five-year-old elephant cow, Ruwan died in the Zurich zoo after succumbing to EEHV. She was the third to die there, the earlier casualties being a two-year-old bull Umesh and his eight-year-old sister Omysha. The virus causes internal bleeding and organ failure, similar to the effects Ebola has on humans. It is particularly lethal for young Asian elephants. Also read | What is herpesvirus? Experts 'powerless' as deadly virus stalks Zurich zoo, kills 3 Asian elephants Most Asian elephants - both in the wild and in captivity - carry dormant herpesvirus. The virus, discovered in 1990 and named in 1999, is believed to spread through trunks of the animals. The virus is a major driver of Asian elephant deaths in captivity. Asian elephants are facing potential extinction, with only 50,000 of the species in the wild. An effective vaccine is the only solution for the herpesvirus. Till now, there was no such vaccine, and treatment was mainly anti-viral medication, which often proved to be inefficient. Tess could change all that, if the experiment is successful. (With inputs from agencies)

Asian elephant Tess got first vaccine for herpesvirus, and can pave way for saving her species

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<p>A zoo in Japan has launched an investigation after medicines intended to kill parasites accidentally killed 31 of the 40 squirrels enclosed inside the facility. The incident transpired at the Inokashira Park Zoo in Tokyo last week and a probe is currently underway.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The zookeepers had sprayed insecticide on the animals’ nest boxes and administered anti-parasitic medication to them on December 4. Soon after the medication was delivered, one of the bushy-tailed rodents, a common Japanese squirrel — died.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Over the next few days, the death toll continued to pile up and as of Monday (Dec 11), 31 squirrels had lost their lives.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/nuts-woodpeckers-stash-300-kg-of-acorns-in-a-california-home-559844" target="_blank"><strong>Also read | NUTS! Woodpeckers stash 300 kg of acorns in a California home</strong></a></p>

<h2><strong>Zoo offers apologies</strong></h2>

<p>The possibility of "drug-induced poisoning cannot be denied", the zoo admitted in a statement Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We're currently investigating the cause of their deaths and observing the conditions of surviving individuals," they said, adding that a pathological examination of the corpses was underway.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We offer our deepest apologies,"&nbsp;the statement said.</p>

<p>The zoo officials, however, maintain that the drugs were used in proper doses, as intended in the manual. Moreover, they had been administered on previous occasions without any incident.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/big-medical-breakthrough-as-pig-to-human-kidney-transplant-succeeds-for-a-month-626196" target="_blank"><strong>Watch | Big medical breakthrough as pig-to-human kidney transplant succeeds for a month</strong></a></p>

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<p>The zoo said the facility was clean, vetted for safety and hitting all the markers on the board. Despite the gloom surrounding the incident, the surviving squirrels were back on display.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Japan is home to three kinds of tree-dwelling creatures: the Japanese squirrel, the Japanese flying squirrel and the Japanese giant flying squirrel.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While adorable, their numbers in residential areas have been a nuisance for the Japanese public. In the eastern city of Kamakura, the municipality has proposed a supplementary budget of $48,000&nbsp;for extermination efforts while warning tourists that feeding the squirrels may increase their numbers.</p>

<p>At the end of November this year, as many as 1,533 squirrels had been exterminated in the region.&nbsp;The local government has put up posters on bulletin boards around the city describing incidents of damage.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A zoo in Japan has launched an investigation after medicines intended to kill parasites accidentally killed 31 of the 40 squirrels enclosed inside the facility. The incident transpired at the Inokashira Park Zoo in Tokyo last week and a probe is currently underway.

A zoo in Japan has launched an investigation after medicines intended to kill parasites accidentally killed 31 of the 40 squirrels enclosed inside the facility. The incident transpired at the Inokashira Park Zoo in Tokyo last week and a probe is currently underway. The zookeepers had sprayed insecticide on the animals’ nest boxes and administered anti-parasitic medication to them on December 4. Soon after the medication was delivered, one of the bushy-tailed rodents, a common Japanese squirrel — died. Over the next few days, the death toll continued to pile up and as of Monday (Dec 11), 31 squirrels had lost their lives. Also read | NUTS! Woodpeckers stash 300 kg of acorns in a California home Zoo offers apologies The possibility of "drug-induced poisoning cannot be denied", the zoo admitted in a statement Monday. "We're currently investigating the cause of their deaths and observing the conditions of surviving individuals," they said, adding that a pathological examination of the corpses was underway. "We offer our deepest apologies," the statement said. The zoo officials, however, maintain that the drugs were used in proper doses, as intended in the manual. Moreover, they had been administered on previous occasions without any incident. Watch | Big medical breakthrough as pig-to-human kidney transplant succeeds for a month × The zoo said the facility was clean, vetted for safety and hitting all the markers on the board. Despite the gloom surrounding the incident, the surviving squirrels were back on display. Japan is home to three kinds of tree-dwelling creatures: the Japanese squirrel, the Japanese flying squirrel and the Japanese giant flying squirrel. While adorable, their numbers in residential areas have been a nuisance for the Japanese public. In the eastern city of Kamakura, the municipality has proposed a supplementary budget of $48,000 for extermination efforts while warning tourists that feeding the squirrels may increase their numbers. At the end of November this year, as many as 1,533 squirrels had been exterminated in the region. The local government has put up posters on bulletin boards around the city describing incidents of damage. (With inputs from agencies)

Investigation launched after squirrels are massacred in Japanese zoo

High temperatures are baking many places in China and Europe. Not only humans but animals are unable to adapt to the hot weather. In a bid to keep zoo animals cool, the Madrid Zoo and Hangzhou Safari Park in China's Zhejiang Province introduce cooling dietaries, air-conditioners and outdoor sprinkling devices.

Animals adapt fancy ways to avoid heatwaves across Europe and China

In pics: Lion in Chinese zoo became internet star over unique hairstyle

As the heat wave continues to grip South Asia, rising mercury is troubling the animals as. A zoo in Pakistan's Rawalpindi has declared a heat wave emergency

Heat wave in South Asia: Icy treat at Pakistan Zoo helps animals to stay cool

<p class="MsoNormal">It’s one thing for humans to be animal lovers, but everyone was left shocked when a woman claimed that she really was a lover of an animal.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">A Belgian woman has been banned from an Antwerp Zoo after the officials noticed that she had been spending a little too much time with a specific chimpanzee. Later, the woman claimed she was spending so much time with the animal because she was having an 'affair' with it.</p>

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<p>Adie Timmermans started visiting the zoo every week and used to keep conversing with a 38-year-old chimpanzee called Chita. The two used to interact from the opposite sides of the glass enclosure while waving and blowing kisses at each other.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-love-him-animal-handler-comes-to-rescue-of-alligator-after-it-attacks-her-407646">'I love him': Animal handler comes to rescue of alligator after it attacks her</a></strong></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Her visits continued for four years before the zoo authorities decided that an action had to be taken against the growing friendship.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">"I love that animal and he loves me. I haven’t got anything else. Why do they want to take that away," Timmermans said. "We're having an affair, I’ll just say."<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">However, the zoo believes that this ‘love affair’ <span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;</span>was proving to be harmful for Chita as it was becoming a hindrance in developing a relationship with the other chimpanzees.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">"When Chita is constantly busy with visitors, the other monkeys ignore him and don’t consider him part of the group, even though that is important. He then sits on his own outside of visiting hours," the zoo said.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The chimpanzees lover, however, feels the zoo is being unfair and questioned, "other dozens of visitors are allowed to make contact. Then why not me?"<o:p></o:p></p>


It’s one thing for humans to be animal lovers, but everyone was left shocked when a woman claimed that she really was a lover of an animal. A Belgian woman has been banned from an Antwerp Zoo after the officials noticed that she had been spending a little too much time with a specific chimpanzee.

It’s one thing for humans to be animal lovers, but everyone was left shocked when a woman claimed that she really was a lover of an animal. A Belgian woman has been banned from an Antwerp Zoo after the officials noticed that she had been spending a little too much time with a specific chimpanzee. Later, the woman claimed she was spending so much time with the animal because she was having an 'affair' with it. × Adie Timmermans started visiting the zoo every week and used to keep conversing with a 38-year-old chimpanzee called Chita. The two used to interact from the opposite sides of the glass enclosure while waving and blowing kisses at each other. Also read | 'I love him': Animal handler comes to rescue of alligator after it attacks her Her visits continued for four years before the zoo authorities decided that an action had to be taken against the growing friendship. "I love that animal and he loves me. I haven’t got anything else. Why do they want to take that away," Timmermans said. "We're having an affair, I’ll just say." However, the zoo believes that this ‘love affair’ was proving to be harmful for Chita as it was becoming a hindrance in developing a relationship with the other chimpanzees. "When Chita is constantly busy with visitors, the other monkeys ignore him and don’t consider him part of the group, even though that is important. He then sits on his own outside of visiting hours," the zoo said. The chimpanzees lover, however, feels the zoo is being unfair and questioned, "other dozens of visitors are allowed to make contact. Then why not me?"

Animal 'lover'? Woman banned from zoo after she confesses having an 'affair' with chimpanzee

Visitors rushed to Moscow zoo on Tuesday (June 16) for a long-waited reopening as coronavirus-related restrictions get further lifted in Russia. To enter the zoo, people are required to wear masks and maintain a 'snow leopard distance' between each other.

Keep snow leopard distance - Moscow zoo reopens after easing of lockdown

A zoo in northwest England is in a battle for survival as the COVID-19 crisis threatens to wipeout its summer season. Chester Zoo has been closed to visitors since Britain went into lockdown in March - meaning zero income from admissions or retail.

Tough times ahead for UK zoo forced to stay shut due to COVID-19

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