The Rosamond Gifford Zoo has made history by vaccinating its miracle twin elephants, Yaad and Tukada, against the deadly Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpes Virus (EEHV). These two-year-old Asian elephant twins are among the first in the world to receive the life-saving vaccine, marking a significant step in global conservation efforts.
EEHV poses a serious threat to both wild and captive elephant populations. The vaccine, developed at Baylor University, was administered at the Syracuse-based zoo in collaboration with Cornell University.
A Rare and Historic Achievement
Born on October 24, 2022, Yaad and Tukada beat the extraordinary odds of surviving as twin Asian elephants, a phenomenon with less than a 1% chance of occurrence. Now, their vaccination is being hailed as a critical milestone for elephant health and conservation.
"We are incredibly proud of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo for their groundbreaking work in animal health," said Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon. “The vaccination of Yaad and Tukada against EEHV is a major milestone in protecting these majestic creatures and demonstrates the zoo's unwavering commitment to their well-being."
A Step Toward Conservation
Ted Fox, Executive Director of the zoo, emphasized the importance of the achievement. “This is a landmark achievement for the species and a huge step towards their conservation efforts and eradicating this terrible disease for these animals both in the wild and in human care” Fox said. “We couldn’t be happier to be among the first chosen to participate in this vaccine study”
The vaccination is part of the zoo’s efforts as an AZA-accredited facility to ensure the highest standards of animal care and welfare. With this successful administration, the zoo has taken a leading role in the fight against EEHV, furthering efforts to protect elephants globally.
