16.6.2025 – Source: Tierpark Hellabrunn, Photos by Anita
SAD NEWS FROM HELLABRUNN:
Unfortunately, we have some very sad news for you: despite receiving emergency medical care, young bull Otto succumbed to a life-threatening herpes infection (EEHV 1) this morning. His health deteriorated rapidly during the night from Sunday to Monday. Despite immediate, intensive emergency measures taken since Saturday morning and a previous vaccination of the animal, Otto died in the early hours of the morning in the presence of his keepers due to his serious illness.
Unfortunately, the intensive efforts of our emergency team consisting of veterinarians, animal keepers and cooperating laboratories did not lead to any improvement. Hellabrunn Zoo tried to minimise the risk of Otto contracting a herpes infection. The vaccinations administered in advance with a newly developed vaccine from the Netherlands were an important first step in this regard. Young animals like Otto do not have their own herpes antibodies and are therefore particularly at risk. As a precautionary measure, blood plasma reserves were taken from his father Gajendra in recent weeks and months, which were also used in emergency care over the weekend. Unfortunately, all preventive and acute medical measures were ultimately unable to save Otto’s life.
Very few young elephants have a realistic chance of surviving herpes, regardless of whether they are in their natural habitat or in ex-situ zoological care. By the time the first symptoms appear in an animal, it is often already too late. Even immediate medical intervention cannot stop the disease, which is usually fatal.
His early death must now be processed, especially by the elephant group. His dedicated team of keepers and the entire Hellabrunn staff are also very saddened by this loss. The Hellabrunn elephant group has said goodbye to Otto, as is customary for elephants. The animal has already been taken to the veterinary pathology department for an autopsy. The Hellabrunn elephant house will reopen to visitors tomorrow.
The remaining elephant group is doing well; their health is being closely monitored.
Dear Mervi!
This breaks my heart and I cry for this funny little guy. Every baby elephant is an enchanting miracle and is loved by all visitors. When it dies and then of this damn virus, the grief is great, for the herd and for the humans.
In Berlin, we have already lost three elephant calves – Kiri, Shaina Pali and Ko Raja – to this affliction – and cried for all of them.
Sleep well Otto! You are greatly missed!
Sad greetings
Anke
Dear Mervi!
I am very sad that Otto died because of herpes. He was a wonderful young bull.
Ma thoughts are with the keepers and the visitors, who knew Otto since 5 years.
Hugs
Ludmila
Liebe Mervi!
Das ist so unglaublich traurig.
Vielen Dank für den Bericht und die Fotos.
Otto war so ein süßer kleiner Kerl.
RIP kleiner Otto
Dear Mervi,
I am so sad that Otto did not beat the odds. When he was born, I was afraid for him, for so many of the offspring of his father Gejendra have died of this disease, only Ludwig still survives. I cried when his brothers Raj and Santosh died in Hagenbeck, as their siblings Anjuli and Kanja did before. I swore I would not get so attached, but I couldn’t help it. I was enchanted by all the photos of Otto playing with his delighted father, and growing up strong, and I thought he would make it, but then the sad news on Saturday that he was weakening. Even with the vaccine. What a tragedy to lose sweet Otto. He had a happy four and a half years on earth, and we can be grateful for that, and so many loved him. Now he is an angel. Such a sad thing.
Molly
Das tut mir sehr leid.Adieu,guter kleiner Otto! 🖤😘
Dear Mervi,
Yes, it is a great pain to lose such a young Otifant
As the Munich keepers describe him, he already had a special character as a young animal, which he also showed towards his father, with whom he wanted to playfully ‘measure’ his strength from an early age.
Just like Ludwig, he was everyone’s darling and everyone mourns his loss. I hope that Ludwig in Heidelberg is now old enough and that the virus will no longer pose a threat to him, just like Anchali in Berlin.
Molly has already listed several victims of this herpes disease and each one is one too many. The 3 kittens in Berlin a few years ago have to be added to this list. But I no longer know who their father was or whether the virus is only transmitted by one parent.
Gejendra should probably no longer be bred so that this virus can be eradicated from zoos without affecting several generations. That’s all I can think of as a layman.
Goodbye dear Otto!
Was für eine traurige Nachricht!!!
Otto war schon ein besonderer Elefant, den ich noch als Jungtier in guter Erinnerung habe…
Die Fotos erinnern an die schöne Zeit, die er seinem Tierpflegerteam und den Besuchern geschenkt hat…💖