The death of ‘Arun’, elephant calf in Kamlapur Elephant Camp, Sironcha, is caused due to elephant endotheliotropic herpes virus (EEHV), as per the post mortem report, said Dr Kishor Mankar, Conservator of Forest, Gadchiroli.
The two-and-six months old ‘Arjun’ died on Saturday last, just four days after the death of another elephant calf ‘Sayee’. The wild animal was not suffering from any illness.
A team of Doctors including Ravikant Khobragade, Veterinary Officer from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Resrve, Pawan Pawde, Dr D S Gawhane, both Livestock Development Officers, and Mayur Pawshe, Veterinary Officer from Wildlife Research & Training Project, Gorewada, and others conducted the post-mortem.
The doctors said that herpes virus is the probable cause for the deaths of ‘Arjun’ and ‘Sayee’. The deaths of two calves that occurred during a period of four days had created a sensation among the wildlife lovers, who raised questions over the maintenance of the elephants in this only camp in Maharashtra.