Death of Shankar, the African Elephant
Incident Overview
Shankar, a 29-year-old African elephant at Delhi's National Zoological Park, died in September from the rare rodent-borne encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), marking the first case reported in an Indian zoo.
Background
- Shankar was a diplomatic gift from Zimbabwe in 1998 to former President Shankar Dayal Sharma.
- Spent 13 years in solitary confinement before his death on September 17.
Details on EMCV
- EMCV primarily affects pigs but can also infect a wide variety of zoo animals, including big cats.
- African elephants are particularly susceptible, with outbreaks reported worldwide.
- Transmission occurs via food or water contamination from rodent feces or urine.
Symptoms and Final Moments
- Shankar showed mild symptoms like reduced food intake and loose stools on September 17.
- Despite veterinary intervention, he collapsed and died within a few hours.
Challenges in Disease Management
- Rodent control in open enclosures is challenging; rodents and even squirrels can be carriers.
- No vaccine for EMCV and no visible symptoms before sudden death.
Autopsy Findings and Recommendations
- Autopsy revealed heart lesions and hemorrhages, ruling out diseases like tuberculosis, FMD, and anthrax.
- Conservationists have recommended pairing Shankar with a mate, as he remained solitary post-adolescence.
Current Zoo Status
The zoo has been closed since August 30 due to an avian influenza outbreak.
