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

Nipho, a 15-year-old elephant at the San Diego Zoo, died after developing elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus haemorrhagic disease (EEHV-HD), a serious illness that can worsen rapidly. His death matters because his half-brother Sundzu is now showing symptoms of the same disease, and zoo veterinarians are treating him.

Nipho died on Wednesday, despite treatment that began before a definitive diagnosis. The virus is widespread among Asian and African elephants, and many carry it without becoming ill; it cannot infect people or other wildlife. Sundzu is receiving antiviral medicines, fluids and elephant plasma, while the zoo reviews Nipho’s case to improve understanding of the disease.