Elephant calf makes miraculous recovery from deadly EEHV virus at Chester zoo

Young elephants usually die when they show signs of the illness.

An elephant calf has made a remarkable recovery from a life threatening illness.

Vets at Chester zoo had feared the worst for Indali Hi Way after she was diagnosed with elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV).

The illness, which affects Asian elephants, is normally a death sentence but the calf’s life was saved thanks to the ground-breaking treatment she received.

The zoo detected the disease earlier than usual after using advanced bloodtesting methods in March, the Chester Standard reported.

Vets were then able to start treatment, which included blood plasma transfusions and anti-viral medications, before Indali showed visible signs of EEHV.

After two weeks she started to recover and has now been given the all clear.

Chester Zoo CEO Dr Mark Pilgrim said: ‘Asian elephants are an endangered species and a world without them is unthinkable. We cannot underestimate the threat EEHV poses to their future survival.

‘But Indali, wonderful little fighter that she is, and her incredible survival story, has given us enormous hope.’

The young elephant is now getting used to normal zoo life with her supportive family and herd, which includes mother Sundara.

Chester Zoo had been keen to help fight the EEHV outbreak after having lost three elephant calves in the past four years to the virus.

Experts think the majority Asian elephants carry the illness but only younger animals develop fatal symptoms, usually when they are at weaning age.

University of Surrey, the Animal and Plant Health Agency and Asian elephant conservation are all helping in the battle against EEHV.