• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
Beloved 9-Year-Old Zoo Elephant Dies After Contracting 'Devastating' Viral Disease

Beloved 9-Year-Old Zoo Elephant Dies After Contracting 'Devastating' Viral Disease

April 17, 2021
Political Violence Surging Under Trump Isn’t Exactly ‘Far-Right’ After All

Political Violence Surging Under Trump Isn’t Exactly ‘Far-Right’ After All

July 27, 2025
DAVID BLACKMON: Zeldin, Trump, Prepare Assault On EPA Endangerment Finding

DAVID BLACKMON: Zeldin, Trump, Prepare Assault On EPA Endangerment Finding

July 27, 2025
EXCLUSIVE: GOP Rep Touts How Alaska Is Key To Unleashing American Energy Dominance

EXCLUSIVE: GOP Rep Touts How Alaska Is Key To Unleashing American Energy Dominance

July 27, 2025
STEVE MILLOY: Big Beautiful Bill Already Paying Big Beautiful Benefits

STEVE MILLOY: Big Beautiful Bill Already Paying Big Beautiful Benefits

July 27, 2025
George Santos Reports to New Jersey Prison

George Santos Reports to New Jersey Prison

July 27, 2025
MICHELE STEEB: A New Chapter For America’s Homeless: Structure, Recovery, And Hope

MICHELE STEEB: A New Chapter For America’s Homeless: Structure, Recovery, And Hope

July 26, 2025
JAMES CARTER: America’s Capex Comeback

JAMES CARTER: America’s Capex Comeback

July 26, 2025
NEWT GINGRICH: Trump Boom Or Democrat Gloom

NEWT GINGRICH: Trump Boom Or Democrat Gloom

July 26, 2025
JOSH HAMMER: Grading The Second Trump Presidency, Six Months In

JOSH HAMMER: Grading The Second Trump Presidency, Six Months In

July 26, 2025
Leftist Outrage Erupts At California Plan To Stop Paying Criminal Illegals’ Legal Bills

Leftist Outrage Erupts At California Plan To Stop Paying Criminal Illegals’ Legal Bills

July 26, 2025
Mexican Border State Asks Tourists to Travel Highways Only in Daylight Hours

Mexican Border State Asks Tourists to Travel Highways Only in Daylight Hours

July 26, 2025
LARRY ELDER: Dems Rail Against Colbert’s Cancellation — Here’s Why

LARRY ELDER: Dems Rail Against Colbert’s Cancellation — Here’s Why

July 26, 2025
  • Donald Trump
  • State of the Union
  • Elon Musk
  • Tariffs
  • Congress
  • Faith
  • Immigration
Monday, July 28, 2025
  • Login
IJR
  • Politics
  • US News
  • Commentary
  • World News
  • Faith
  • Latest Polls
No Result
View All Result
IJR
No Result
View All Result
Home Wire

Beloved 9-Year-Old Zoo Elephant Dies After Contracting 'Devastating' Viral Disease

by Western Journal
April 17, 2021 at 7:19 pm
in Wire
247 5
0
Beloved 9-Year-Old Zoo Elephant Dies After Contracting 'Devastating' Viral Disease
491
SHARES
1.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

On Wednesday, the Toledo Zoo made a heartbreaking announcement, informing fans and followers of their social media pages that one of their African Elephants, Lucas, had died.

Lucas, 9 years old, had contracted an elephant-specific virus known as elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus. Despite all the first-rate veterinary care and medication, experts were unable to save the elephant’s life.

[firefly_embed]

[/firefly_embed]

President and CEO of Toledo Zoo, Jeff Sailer, shared a video breaking the sad news.

“I’m coming to you today with a very heavy heart,” he began. “Unfortunately, after days of heroic care, we have lost our beloved elephant Lucas to a devastating viral disease.”

[firefly_embed]

[/firefly_embed]

He made sure to mention that the virus could not be transmitted to humans and that their other two elephants should be fine. Lucas’s age was apparently a factor in his demise.

“In younger elephants like Lucas, it can be quite catastrophic,” Sailer said.

“Lucas meant so much to all of us,” Sailer continued. “I mean, he was named after the county in grateful recognition to the taxpayers here in Lucas County.

“This time, though dark, will be especially felt by those who have cared for him since the day he was born. Those same people worked with Lucas over all the years, providing the best of care and they were with him when he died.

[firefly_embed]

[/firefly_embed]

“And I hope over time that Lucas will remain a bright memory to all of us of your Toledo Zoo,” Sailer said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the disease usually causes a fatal hemorrhage, and has afflicted young Asian elephants in the last 20 years.

Hundreds have commented to extend their condolences and reminisce on their experiences with the elephant. Many remembered when he’d been born and voting on his name.

[firefly_embed]

[/firefly_embed]

“We’ve been visiting Lucas since he was born,” one person wrote. “So sad to learn this. My condolences to the Toledo Zoo staff. Such a sad loss.”

“Your colleagues in the zoo community mourn with you,” another wrote. “My heart is with the animal care and veterinary teams. I know you did an amazing job and all that you could. This is such a devastating virus.

“I hope that one day we will find a way to prevent it. It’s through cases like this that we continue to learn in order to help elephants in the future.”

This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.

Share196Tweet123
Western Journal

Western Journal

Advertisements

Top Stories June 10th
Top Stories June 7th
Top Stories June 6th
Top Stories June 3rd
Top Stories May 30th
Top Stories May 29th
Top Stories May 24th
Top Stories May 23rd
Top Stories May 21st
Top Stories May 17th

Join Over 6M Subscribers

We’re organizing an online community to elevate trusted voices on all sides so that you can be fully informed.





IJR

    Copyright © 2024 IJR

Trusted Voices On All Sides

  • About Us
  • GDPR Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Editorial Standards & Corrections Policy
  • Subscribe to IJR

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Politics
  • US News
  • Commentary
  • World News
  • Faith
  • Latest Polls

    Copyright © 2024 IJR

Top Stories June 10th Top Stories June 7th Top Stories June 6th Top Stories June 3rd Top Stories May 30th Top Stories May 29th Top Stories May 24th Top Stories May 23rd Top Stories May 21st Top Stories May 17th