Young Elephant Dies At Berlin Zoo Weeks After Death Of Famous Polar Bear

BERLIN -- The Berlin Zoo says another young animal has died unexpectedly, only two weeks after celebrity polar bear Knut passed away.

Spokeswoman Claudia Bienek said six-year-old Indian elephant Shaina Pali died early Tuesday morning. Elephants can live up to about 80 years in captivity.

She says the zoo's veterinarian thinks the elephant died of an infection but that a necropsy is being performed to determine the exact cause of death.

Four-year old polar bear Knut died March 19 at the zoo after collapsing in his enclosure's moat. Experts said his collapse was caused by a swelling of his brain brought on by an infection.

Bienek says the two deaths are unrelated.

She says: "It's simply very, very sad."

Comments

[thunder405]

12:07 AM on 04/07/2011

Anyone that says zoos are animal prisons and owns a dog or cat is a hypocrit. Do you think that domesticated dogs and cats, or any other domesticated animal for that matter, evolved that way on their own? No. Humans captured wild animals and observed them (sounds a lot like a zoo, huh?) and then bred the individuals that were calm, obedient, and less violent. Selection over generations and millennia produced the little critters we have running around in our homes and backyards today. Grow up. I did, around pets, wild animals, and visiting zoos, and then pursued an education that would grant me the opportunity to study about them and us, in hopes to make progress. You wanna complain about zoos? Visit a zoo department at any major university and you will see much worse taking place in the name of research. The same research that "inhumanely" treats nonhumans often leads to discoveries, clinical trials, and widespread implementation for the better good of your own species. Hypocrites I tell you. Has anyone ever seen the poster that shows animal rights activist with a subscript that explains how much longer their expected lifespan is as a result of animal testing. Animals die every day, whether in the wild or captivity. People constantly look for someone or something to blame, yet half of you will blindly take a docs scrip for an overdose of antibiotics. Jump to less conclusions folks, just try and understand that nature is bigger than you or

[jztherapist]

07:19 PM on 04/08/2011

You really need to learn how to write and spell.

[thunder405]

08:40 PM on 04/08/2011

What, because I left an e off one word and used some slang? I think it's fine, especially considering a tablet was used after a little bar session. Comment on the content brah.

[shilow]

11:39 PM on 04/06/2011

Yes check the water and the food.

[emulsifier]

07:21 PM on 04/06/2011

They don't live nearly as long in captivity anyway.
I don't support them being keep in zoos other than for reintroduction programs.

[Emile Myburgh]

04:00 PM on 04/06/2011

I saw both animals in December while visiting Berlin. It is sad that they both died.

[cyberfringe]

11:54 AM on 04/06/2011

Sentient animals should not be in prison for our amusement.

[midwesthousewife]

04:03 PM on 04/08/2011

Nowadays, alot of animals in zoos are there not for our amusement but to aid their continuance as a species. With the destruction of natural habitat plus the effects of climate change, many species may only survive under the care and protection of a zoo. Sad, but true.

[OdinWodin]

10:30 AM on 04/06/2011

The rate these animals are dying they won't need a gov. shut down there.

[Hank26]

10:00 AM on 04/06/2011

The two deaths are unrelated? Uh. BOTH died of infections? One death is surprising and highly unusual. TWO deaths...both of infection? Quite a coincidence.

[thunder405]

12:21 AM on 04/07/2011

Right. Because you know how to correctly take samples from the deceased, the environment, and enough controls to undeniably claim that both are related. Never mind the fact that you would need a substantial sequence of the genome from both the bacteria/virus to run a multiplex pcr comparing all samples collected for conclusive proof that the same pathogen killed both completely unrelated animals. While both are chordates and mammals, little relationship remains between the two. Viruses are highly specific, bacteria less so, but still specific to an incredible degree. As their diets are equally dissimilar, many potentials further reduce the likelihood that these deaths are related. Read a newspaper, look if any two folks died of the same inflictions, then try to prove that the two deaths are related. Coincidence is all it is, unfortunate, but an outcome of probability.

[Hank26]

12:27 AM on 04/07/2011

Great. No need to investigate whatsoever. You're right. Pfffft.

[beTruthFul]

09:39 AM on 04/06/2011

maybe there is something in the water some of them can't handle...

check the water guys!

[Max2000]

09:38 AM on 04/06/2011

According to the 'Berliner Morgenpost' was the cause Elephant Herpes, as the inital examination showed the typical bleeding. It is also the same cause that killed about 11 years ago a 9 month old cub.

It is believed it comes from the african elephants which it does not hurt, but kills the asian elephants. The bleeding can occure and kill within hours.

They do inoculate their asian elephants with a self developed serum, but it does not completely prevent a breakout, and the elephan herpes is there to stay.

http://www.morgenpost.de/berlin-aktuell/article1599041/Elefantenkuh-Shaina-Pali-im-Berliner-Zoo-gestorben.html

[Seyze12]

09:23 AM on 04/06/2011

One wonders about the care these animals are receiving.

[nirvana101]

09:19 AM on 04/06/2011

How can you say the deaths are unrelated until you do a necropsy and investigation. Terrible when spokespeople speak out of turn. There needs to be a full investigation at the Berlin Zoo.

[Will98]

09:16 AM on 04/06/2011

pish ... german food

[corsair1917]

09:12 AM on 04/06/2011

an infection??
This zoo needs to be investigated before another animal dies.

[poochie7060]

09:38 AM on 04/06/2011

Agree. There should be an immediate investigation.

[Blaq Ninja]

09:02 AM on 04/06/2011

These animals are in jail and have commented no crime.

[Will98]

09:20 AM on 04/06/2011

yes they have, they are in jail ... for being so ADORABLE !! j/k

[Blaq Ninja]

11:21 AM on 04/06/2011

lolol...That was funny Will!!

[thunder405]

12:26 AM on 04/07/2011

The minute animals start commenting on crime is the minute I unload. Ever seen planet of the apes, no dam.n dirty creature will ever put me behind bars.

[houston we have aproblem]

08:50 AM on 04/06/2011

dont drink the water