Virus kills young elephant
CAMPAIGNERS are calling for an end to keeping elephants in captivity after the death of Raman, Chester Zoo’s youngest elephant.
The two-year-old male Asian elephant calf fell victim to a herpes virus that has baffled scientists worldwide since it began appearing in young elephants.
The zoo, which has begun a round-the-clock watch on other young members of its herd, said: “It is a mystery where the virus has come from.”
Will Travers, of the Born Free Foundation, said: “This is an illness that is particularly prevalent in captive elephants.
“Stress may be a factor. Such deaths give us yet another reason why we should take a long, hard look at keeping elephants in zoos.”