Riau. The Tesso Nilo National Park Center (TNTN) in Riau has confirmed that a baby elephant named Kalistha Lestari, or Tari, died from elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV).

TNTN Head Heru Sutmantoro said lab tests showed the virus attacked Tari’s liver, a common target of the disease in young elephants.

“The laboratory results for baby elephant Tari are out. Tari was infected with EEHV. This virus is very deadly for elephants under 10 years old,” Heru said on Wednesday.

According to him, EEHV is dangerous because it develops very quickly and is difficult to treat. However, the virus is not transmissible to humans, so it does not pose a risk to visitors or interactions with mahouts.

“This is a concern for all of us in protecting elephants. We are conducting environmental sanitation, and veterinarians regularly monitor their health. We also anticipate by providing nutrition and multivitamins so that the elephants’ bodies are stronger against the virus,” he explained.

As a preventive measure, TNTN regularly conducts health checks on wildlife, cleans enclosures, and provides vitamins to calves, including Domang, who is part of the Tesso Nilo Flying Squad.

Similar efforts are also being carried out at the Buluhcina Nature Tourism Park. Dona, another calf that once went viral, is also receiving additional vitamins to maintain her immunity.

Previously, on Sept. 9, Tari was still in good health and actively playing. Her digestion and feces were still normal, although her suckling frequency had decreased.

The next morning, on Sept. 10 at around 8:00 a.m. local time, the on-duty officer found Tari lying motionless and immediately declared her dead. The officer then contacted a veterinarian to conduct a physical examination.

The initial examination by the veterinarian showed no signs of wounds or trauma on Tari’s body, although her abdomen appeared slightly bloated. The Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Riau Regional Police even deployed a team to investigate Tari’s death, as there were suspicions that she might have been poisoned.

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