Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV) Lab

Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV) is a life-threatening virus affecting elephants living in the wild, in sanctuaries, and in zoos worldwide. As part of our continued commitment to protecting elephants and following our own tragic loss of beloved 13-year old elephant, Beco, to EEHV in June 2022, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has opened a long-planned, on-site DNA testing lab that can provide an early warning of an active EEHV infection to veterinarians. In partnership with Smithsonian’s National Zoo, which worked closely with the Zoo during the lab’s creation, the Columbus Zoo’s lab is just one of four onsite EEHV point-of-care labs in the country. Watch to learn more about how these labs at the Columbus Zoo, Saint Louis Zoo, Oklahoma City Zoo, and a private facility in Florida are helping elephants.