BBKSDA Riau: Death of Baby Elephant Laila Caused by Herpes Virus
JAKARTA - The Riau Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA) revealed the results of laboratory examinations related to the death of a Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) named Laila caused by a herpes virus.
Head of BBKSDA Riau Supartono said his party had received the results of laboratory examinations on tissue and organ samples conducted by the Medica Animal Laboratory in Bogor. The results showed that the death of the elephant Laila was positive for Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpes Viruses (EEHV) that attacked the liver (hepar).
"EEHV virus is a type of herpes virus that specifically attacks elephants, especially baby elephants. This disease is known to be deadly because its development is very fast and difficult to handle. This EEHV virus is only contagious between elephants," he said in Pekanbaru, Monday, December 15, reported by ANTARA.
Previously, the baby elephant Laila was found in a less active condition and had received medical treatment by a team of veterinarians and mahout. However, on November 22, 2025, Laila could no longer be helped.
"Laila" with the female sex died at the age of 1 year 6 months at the Sebanga Elephant Conservation Center, Bengkalis Regency, Riau Province.
Laila is a baby elephant born on April 6, 2024 at the Sebanga Elephant Conservation Center from a mother named Puja and a male named Sarma.
The incident occurred on Friday (21/11) until 22.00 WIB, the elephant Laila was still observed eating and drinking as usual and still drinking her mother's milk. Then on Saturday (22/11) around 00.30 WIB, the elephant Laila was heard screaming and screaming when monitored was still standing and actively moving.
Then at around 01.00 WIB, Laila's elephant screamed again. After checking, the elephant's condition was in a lying position, but after being given treatment, the elephant woke up, drank, and suckled.
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"Around 05.00 WIB, the elephant Laila had a voice, then a check was carried out and around 05.30 WIB, in the lying condition, the elephant Laila was declared dead," he said.