The results of Chai the elephant's necropsy were released on Saturday, Feb. 20.
According to the Oklahoma City Zoo, the necropsy results did not determine Chai's cause of death. Tissue samples were sent to an independent lab to help determine the cause.
Results then indicated that the cause of death was a systemic bacterial infection in Chai's bloodstream [a non-contagious condition].
>> Read the full release here.
Zoo officials had earlier advised that the herpes virus – or EEHV – was not the cause of death of beloved elephant Chai at the Oklahoma City Zoo.
Results of beloved Chai, Asian elephant death https://t.co/yjHmW1tJ1o pic.twitter.com/8pjTufkME7
— Oklahoma City Zoo (@okczoo) February 20, 2016
Chai was found dead in the Oklahoma zoo's elephant habitat.
From the Oklahoma City Zoo’s release:
"Despite the attentive care provided, animals are very skilled at masking symptoms. It's innate," said Dr. Jennifer D'Agostino, director of veterinary services. "We learn something new from every situation, every necropsy. It's part of our commitment to help these animals in our care to learn as much as we can to help them and their counterparts in the wild."
The death happened less than a year after two elephants, Chai and Bamboo, were moved from Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo to Oklahoma.
Activists had wanted the Seattle elephants to retire in a sanctuary.
Cox Media Group
