Oregon Zoo's Youngest Elephant, Lily, Dies Suddenly From Virus

PORTLAND, OR – Lily, the youngest elephant at the Oregon oo died suddenly Thursday night, the night before her sixth birthday. The zoo says that she had been stricken by a virus known to be fatal in young elephants.

"With immense sadness, we said goodbye to Lily late last night," the zoo said in a statement.

The zoo says that she died less than 24 hours after first showing symptoms of a virus known as endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV), which can be found in almost every Asian elephant, whether they are in zoos or in the wild.

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Officials say that it only becomes a problem when the virus becomes active while the elephant is still a calf, which Lily was. In those cases, it is usually fatal.

Zoo staff tried giving her fluids, antiviral medication, even a transfusion. Sadly, it was not enough.

"Our staff did everything they could and fought to save her until the very end," Zoo Director Dr. Don Moore says. "Everyone is in mourning here. It is just heartbreaking."

Lily was with her mother, Rose-Tu, and the zoo workers who had cared for her since she was born.

Chendra and Shine, the two other females at the zoo, also spent time with her as veterinary and other staff cared for her as she tried to fight the virus.

"I can't imagine a more devastating loss for this zoo family and our community," Moore says. "Lily was the darling of the zoo.

"She was loved by everyone from her elephant family to the people who cared for her every day to her thousands of fans. "

The zoo says that out of respect for Lily and to give staff a chance to grieve, they are closing the zoo for the day and canceling ZooLights this evening.

Of all the animals at the Oregon Zoo, elephants have always held a special place – both for people who work at and visit the zoo.

It can be traced back to when they got Packy who arrived there in 1962. He was a beloved symbol of the zoo and the city. He died last year after a long battle with TB. He was 54-years-old.

Photo of Lily via Oregon Zoo.