Elephant calf, Fitz, dies at Louisville Zoo

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Louisville Zoo announced the death of a beloved elephant calf over the weekend.

According to the Zoo, Fitz, a 3-year-old elephant calf, died Friday evening after briefly facing endotheliotropic herpesvirus, more widely known as the EEHV virus. Fitz was the offspring of 37-year-old elephant Mikki and would have turned 4 years old on Aug. 2.

According to a release by the Zoo, EEHV is one of the most serious medical issues for elephants in zoos and in the wild.

Most elephants are believed to be born with or exposed to the virus shortly after they are born, and survival rates are 20 to 30%, the Zoo says. It is unknown what leads the virus to cause hemorrhagic disease.

Louisville Zoo says animal care teams provided around-the-clock care to Fritz during his illness.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of elephant Fitz,” said Louisville Zoo Director, Dan Maloney. “Fitz held a special place within our entire extended Zoo family. His presence at our Zoo touched the hearts of our members, patrons and our entire community, inspiring a profound appreciation for elephants and their conservation. Our animal and medical teams performed outstandingly. They worked tirelessly under very challenging circumstances, but sadly, despite their remarkable efforts, we were unable to save him. Fitz’s impact will live on, along with his memory, in the hearts of all who encountered him. He will be deeply missed.”

Further information will be shared soon about how the community may join in honoring Fitz.