'Heartbroken' officials announce death of baby elephant Tsuni who lived in Somerset County

The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium announced Thursday that it's two-year-old elephant calf, Tsuni, has passed away after a sudden and brief battle with elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV), according to a press release.

In a statement, the zoo stated that EEHV in Tsuni, who resided at the International Conservation Center in Fairhope with her herd, was detected through routine blood tests February 8, although the calf displayed no visible clinical signs.

According to the press release, the effects of the virus progressed very quickly and, despite immediate treatment and support, Tsuni did not survive.

The press release states that younger elephants, from birth to age eight, are at higher risk for the disease and that it has an 85% mortality rate.

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