Columbus Zoo and Aquarium ‘heartbroken’ after death of 13-year-old Beco the elephant

Thomas Hanks, The Columbus Dispatch
·2 min read
Beco the Asian elephant waves his trunk in this undated photo from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The 13-year-old animal died Saturday from elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus, according to the zoo.
Beco the Asian elephant waves his trunk in this undated photo from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The 13-year-old animal died Saturday from elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus, according to the zoo.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is in mourning Saturday, after the loss of 13-year-old elephant, Beco.

Zoo officials say Beco died at 11 a.m. after a bout with elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus, a virus that affects elephants in zoos, in the wild and in sanctuaries.

“The loss of any animal is hard, but losing a young elephant is especially devastating," Columbus Zoo President and CEO Tom Schmid said in a statement. "We are extremely grateful for the support we have received from our colleagues at other zoos, and the condolences from our community, who mourns with us."

On Thursday morning, Beco's caretakers noticed he wasn't feeling well and contacted the animal health team at the zoo, which sent his blood to the National Elephant Herpesvirus Laboratory at the Smithsonian Institute's National Zoo in Washington for analysis, which confirmed that Beco had the virus.

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His medical care included regular plasma, stem cell infusions and whole blood, according to the statement.

While the zoo's medical staff continues to monitor the other six elephants in the herd, there are no signs of the virus in those other six elephants.

Beco the Asian elephant waves his trunk in this undated photo from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The 13-year-old animal died Saturday from elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus, according to the zoo.
Beco the Asian elephant waves his trunk in this undated photo from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The 13-year-old animal died Saturday from elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus, according to the zoo.

According to the National Elephant Herpesvirus Laboratory, every elephant in the wild likely carries one or more forms of the virus with them in that it is a naturally occurring disease.

"There is some comfort in knowing that Beco's legacy will live on in what we learn from this experience, which will ultimately help save other elephants' lives," said Dr. Jan Ramer, senior vice president of animal care and conservation for the zoo. "We are grateful for the support of our zoo colleagues across the country and the kindness of our community. We are mourning Beco's loss together and finding strength in leaning on one another."

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium mourns 13-year-old elephant Beco