San Diego Zoo elephant ‘Nipho’ dies from ‘unusually fast’ disease

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Inhlonipho, better known as “Nipho,” died Wednesday after contracting elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus hemorrhagic disease, or EEHV-HD, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance announced Saturday.…

A 15-year-old elephant at the San Diego Zoo has died from a potentially deadly virus that can rapidly overwhelm the animals.

It comes as zoo staff fight to save the life of his half-brother, another elephant that has developed symptoms of the same disease.

Inhlonipho, better known as “Nipho,” died Wednesday after contracting elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus hemorrhagic disease, or EEHV-HD, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance announced Saturday.

The disease is among the most serious health threats facing elephants, although the virus itself is widespread among both Asian and African elephants living in the wild and under human care.

“Most elephants will contract the virus in their lifetime, and many carry it without becoming ill,” zoo officials said in a Facebook statement.

But Nipho’s condition deteriorated at an alarming rate, despite efforts by veterinarians to save him.

“Nipho’s illness came on and progressed unusually fast,” the officials continued. “Our team began treatment right away, even before a definitive diagnosis, and we are continuing to look closely at his case to understand what happened.

“Our hope is that the devastating loss of Nipho will help advance our understanding of this disease and, ultimately, save lives.”

The elephant had spent his entire life within the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s care, having been born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park to his mother, Umngani, who remains part of the Elephant Valley herd.

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