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Veterinary Records Update – Aug 2026

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Here’s the summary of veterinary records of the elephants, for the period of Aug 2025-Aug 2026:

Chendra

  • Chendra has been showing high levels for EEHV virus. Recall that the most recent elephant death at the zoo was Lily, who died of EEHV at age 6. There is a concern that the calf Tula-Tu might be exposed and be infected.
  • She has also been seeing fluid discharge from her ear.
  • Her tail has multiple lesions which the vet recommends to perform biopsy on.
  • She has weakness in her right rear leg, as a consequence of her aggressive TB treatment a few years ago.
  • She has an abscess in her right front digit, which the keepers are trying to address using pain relief medications.
  • She is also being bullied by Shine, as noted by keepers. This is an avoidable consequence of a tiny habitat, and has been repeatedly observed over a long period of time.

Shine

  • Shine also has an abscess in her right front foot, just like Chendra. This got infected so a surgery was performed under general anesthesia. The wound was cleaned, antibiotics administered, and a custom apparatus made of acrylic was placed on it to help with healing.
  • She also suffers from degenerative joint disease.
  • Her tail is absent – you may recall that it was amputated by Samson when he bit it off a few years ago.
  • Temporary inflammation due to a wasp nest in the habitat.

Samudra

  • Samudra continues to suffer from cracked nails in his rear feet, a lingering ailment due to poor conditions at the zoo.
  • Samudra’s tusk was partially removed after inflammation of the (internal) dental pulp.
  • Possibly related, he also has a gingival pocket that’s been a lingering condition.

Samson

  • No major health issues other than a temporary positive result for MTB (Mycobacterium Tuberculosis). Following weekly screening, the problem seemed to be transient.
  • Temporary hives and scratching suspected to be due to the environment in April. Samudra also seemed to have had the same problem around the same time.

Rose-Tu

  • While other elephants underwent one sedation over the last year (for blood draw or other medical necessity), Rose-Tu underwent three. This is because she had to be sedated if the staff were to perform any invasive procedures on her calf Tula-Tu, such as blood draw or vaccination.
  • Once she was sedated to collect her blood plasma, to be used in case Tula-Tu were to suffer an EEHV infection. Recall that Tula-Tu’s sister, Lily, died prematurely of EEHV at this zoo, aged six.
  • Rose-Tu also suffered from abscesses in both her front legs, which were treated.

Tula-Tu

  • Temporary issue of the calf eating a medical gauze was treated by giving mineral oil until the gauze was defecated.
  • Staff noted some concern with Tula-Tu being exposed to Chendra who was testing positive for EEHV.

Full medical records of these elephants can be obtained here:

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