Calls for end to elephant breeding in Irish zoos following deaths 

On Wednesday Dublin Zoo made another “heartbreaking” announcement that a third elephant, 17-year-old Asha, mother of Zinda had also tested positive for EEHV – but that age was on her side.

“Being older, her body has had more time to develop antibodies to fight the infection, potentially giving her a greater chance of survival” the Zoo said.

Currently, the other elephants in our herd are not showing signs of EEHV, but we are closely monitoring their health.

EEHV causes acute, fatal haemorrhagic disease in wild and captive juvenile Asian and African elephants, and in severe cases, the virus can result in death within 24 hours.

However, several animal rights groups and campaigners have spoken out about how the virus (EEHV) can also be stress-related and claim the arrival of a new male elephant – Aung Bo – from Chester Zoo may have “activated” it.

While the elephant has not yet been introduced to the herd, an elephant has a strong sense of smell (they can detect water 20km away) and hearing (can recognise calls of other elephants 1.5km away).

Paul Murphy TD wrote a parliamentary question asking Local Government Minister Darragh O’Brien to “phase out” keeping elephants in captivity in Ireland.

“Will the Minister now consider entering into discussions with Dublin Zoo, elephant welfare experts, veterinarians and the NPWS (National Parks and Wildlife Service) to end or phase out the keeping of elephants in captivity in Ireland starting with the prohibition of breeding elephants and the prohibition of the importation of elephants from other zoos?”

He also referenced the arrival of the new elephant to Dublin Zoo.

Is it possible that the arrival of the male elephant from Chester Zoo resulted in stress to the rest of the herd, including Zinda and Avani, triggering the infection that has tragically killed them?

Born Free, a wildlife conservation charity, said: “Research from 2022 highlighted that elephants kept in zoos were more likely to shed EEHV during times of “social stress”, such as the arrival of a new individual, as has recently occurred at Dublin Zoo.”

Dublin Zoo said it will “review the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Zinda and Avani” adding it is essential to approach such sensitive situations with a comprehensive understanding of the factors involved, including the complexities of elephant virology.

“The recent arrival of the male elephant from Chester Zoo has been managed with strict quarantine protocols since his arrival at Dublin Zoo; he has yet to meet the other elephants, making it highly unlikely that he transferred the EEHV virus to the herd. Dublin Zoo was already aware that EEHV was present in its elephants.”