First young elephants in Dutch zoos vaccinated against elephant herpes virus EEHV

Veterinarian Christine Kaandorp of Blijdorp Zoo administers the vaccine. Photo: Blijdorp Zoo

Testing of a vaccine to protect young elephants from the deadly elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) began last December. In the process, six adult elephants were vaccinated to test the safety of the vaccine. None of the elephants were found to suffer from the vaccine. Therefore, the next phase of the study is now starting, in which young elephants will be vaccinated.

For years, the deadly elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) has been causing high mortality rates among young elephants worldwide, both in zoos and in the wild. Almost all cases involve elephants between one and 10 years old. Researchers from Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Dr Tabitha Hoornweg, Dr Xander de Haan, Prof Victor Rutten) and former veterinarian of Blijdorp Zoo (Drs Willem Schaftenaar) are investigating whether vaccination is an effective way to protect elephants from EEHV.

As a first step, six adult elephants were vaccinated last December with the vaccine developed by Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Fortunately, none of the elephants appeared to suffer much from the vaccine.

Vaccination in the Netherlands and abroad

As a next step, young elephants that have barely to no antibodies against the elephant herpesvirus - and are therefore at risk of becoming seriously ill in case of infection - are now being vaccinated. Initially, young elephants in Dutch zoos will be vaccinated, after which vaccination will also begin in other countries. In the Netherlands, elephants at Blijdorp Zoo and WILDLANDS Adventure Zoo Emmen, among others, will receive the vaccine.

Dierenarts Job Stumpel van dierentuin WILDLANDS geeft het vaccin aan olifant Manoa
Veterinarian Job Stumpel of WILDLANDS Adventure Zoo Emmen gives the vaccine to elephant Manoa. Photo: WILDLANDS

Patiently waiting

After vaccination, these animals will be monitored for a longer period to see whether they make enough antibodies against the virus and whether these antibodies eventually protect against disease. If so, no elephants will have to die from the elephant herpes virus in the future.

Lead researcher and virologist Tabitha Hoornweg is happy that the study is entering the next phase: ‘We have a lot of confidence in the vaccine, but first we had to wait patiently to see how the elephants would react to the vaccine. We saw no serious side effects occur, which is a very nice result! I am happy that we can now take this next step and that so many zoos at home and abroad are willing to cooperate in this study. This shows how much people are looking forward to a safe vaccine against EEHV.’

The development and testing of the vaccine is possible thanks to the intensive cooperation and financial support of zoos and organisations such as ZOO Planckendael (Royal Society for Zoology Antwerp), the Pairi Daiza Foundation, Blijdorp Zoo, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, DierenPark Amersfoort Wildlife Fund, Wildlands Nature and Education Fund, International Elephant Foundation, the Marjo Hoedemaker Elephant Foundation, Animales Foundation, Peer Zwart Fonds Foundation, Abri voor Dieren Foundation, Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ Fund, Zoological Center Ramat Gan, the Countess of Bylandt Foundation, Embrace Elephants, a family fund and many other (anonymous and/or private) donors. This joint effort underlines the importance of (international) cooperation in the conservation of endangered species.

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