Six-Year-Old Asian Elephant Kenzi Dies At Saint Louis Zoo

ST. LOUIS, MO — Kenzi, the St. Louis Zoo's 6-year-old Asian elephant, has died of elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus, a fatal viral infection that can strike elephants in the wild and in captivity, zoo officials announced Saturday. Kenzi was the daughter of Raja and Rani.

“This is a devastating loss for Kenzi’s family, the elephant care team and the St. Louis community,” said Martha Fischer, Curator of Ungulates and Elephants. “Those who cared for Kenzi every day are understandably grieving. We put our hearts and souls into trying to save her.”

The zoo said it routinely test elephants in their care for EEHV as part of a comprehensive health monitoring program. Kenzi was diagnosed with the virus on Feb. 20 and zookeepers immediately started her on anti-viral medication. Officials said she received round-the-clock veterinary care.

“I can’t say enough about the dedication of our team,” Fischer said. “Our keepers and veterinarians left no stone unturned in search of new ideas and treatments that could save Kenzi’s life.”

EEHV was first identified in 1995 by researchers at the Smithsonian National Zoo. Since its discovery, the virus has been identified in elephants in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

Veterinarians and curators at the St. Louis Zoo routinely confer with EEHV experts across the country. For several years, the St. Louis Zoo has joined other North American elephant care facilities in actively supporting EEHV research efforts, becoming a leader in the latest EEHV detection and testing protocols.

All of the elephants at the zoo are under close monitoring for EEHV, officials said, and at this time, no others are testing positive. Historically, this herpesvirus most frequently occurs in elephants younger than seven years old. The zoo's veterinary staff is providing prophylactic treatment to 4-year-old Priya and plan to continue regular testing.

The zoo’s elephant care team successfully treated 11-year-old elephants Jade and Maliha for two different types of EEHV on two previous occasions, officials said.

There are fewer than 35,000 Asian elephants left in the wild, and they are facing extinction. The Saint Louis Zoo said it is committed to conserve the species. In addition to its population of elephants, the zoo supports the welfare and conservation of Asian elephants in Sumatra and other countries in Asia through the International Elephant Foundation, as well as the conservation of African elephants in Kenya.

The Zoo posted this message on Facebook Saturday:

Photo: The Asian elephant Kenzi, who died early Saturday morning at the St. Louis Zoo. (Megan Turner/St. Louis Zoo)