Elephants in ATR, MTR free of herpes infection

Captive elephants of Kozhikamuthi camp in Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) and Theppakadu elephant camp in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) were declared free from Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus

(EEHV) infection.

Officials of both the reserves were on alert in the wake of the herpesvirus claiming the lives of two elephants in the Kottoor elephant rehabilitation centre in Kerala. A six-year-old elephant died on Monday, just a week after another calf succumbed to herpes at Kottoor camp. A few other elephants were also tested positive for the infection and were under medication.

Following the outbreak, officials in

ATR and MTR have been keeping a close watch on the elephants. “Thus far, there has been no infection in ATR and MTR. All 28 elephants at Kozhikamuthi camp and 29 at Theppakadu were recently tested negative for herpes,” said A Sugumar, veterinarian of Coimbatore Forest Department.

Samples collected from the elephants were sent to Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Uttar Pradesh, where they were also tested for COVID-19. The official claimed that herpes mainly claims the life of calves while adult elephants manage to survive. Any affected animal would show lesions and cyanosis on their tongues, which was an indicator of the low levels of oxygen in the blood.

Thus far, there has been no infection in ATR and MTR. All 28 elephants at Kozhikamuthi camp and 29 at Theppakadu were recently tested negative for herpes

— A Sugumar, Veterinarian of Coimbatore Forest Department