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UK scientists develop world's first vaccine to protect endangered elephants against deadly virus
First ever elephant herpesvirus vaccine unveiled in global conservation breakthrough
Vaccine developed by scientists at Chester Zoo, the University of Surrey, and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)
Milestone brings new hope as zoo draws up plans to roll out vaccine to endangered Asian elephant populations worldwide
A groundbreaking new vaccine - the first of its kind - can now be rolled out globally to help in the battle against a deadly virus that has devastated endangered elephant populations.
Developed by leading scientists at Chester Zoo, the University of Surrey, and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), the vaccine targets elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV), one of the most serious threats facing young Asian elephants worldwide.
The breakthrough was published today in the prestigious journal Nature Communications, following a landmark proof-of-concept trial.
The vaccine was shown to be safe and effective in triggering a strong immune response - a crucial step toward preventing EEHV, a disease that can kill elephants in just 24 hours.
“This is a critical turning point,” said researchers involved in the study. “Until now, EEHV has been a silent killer. With this vaccine, we finally have a weapon to fight back.”
EEHV poses a severe threat to the survival of Asian elephants, a species already listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, with fewer than 40,000 individuals remaining in the wild. Fatal cases have been documented across India, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, and beyond - with the disease affecting both wild populations and vital conservation breeding programmes in zoos worldwide. The virus has also been detected in African elephants.
The international team’s pioneering achievement represents a historic moment in global conservation efforts - and a possible lifeline for one of the planet’s most iconic and imperiled species.
Dr Katie Edwards, Lead Conservation Scientist at Chester Zoo and co-author of the study, said:
“This vaccine has been in development for several years and was first delivered to an elephant here at Chester Zoo in 2021. The publication of this research marks a watershed moment because it means we can now say that the vaccine is ready for wider use.
“EEHV has taken the lives of so many elephants, both in human care and in the wild, but this vaccine offers hope. We can’t yet say this will be the end of EEHV deaths, but we have taken a massive step towards that goal.”
A study spanning six years and involving a small group of elephants confirmed the vaccine’s safety and its ability to stimulate a protective immune response. The next phase could see a careful rollout to more elephants, prioritising young individuals who are most at risk of developing the disease.
Unlike other EEHV vaccines currently in development, the ‘ingredients’ in this new vaccine focus on T-cell activation - the body’s immune system ‘generals’ that identify and destroy infected cells.
Dr Edwards added:
“Different scientific approaches are incredibly valuable. The more tools we have, the closer we get to a world where EEHV is no longer a threat to elephant survival.”
Chester Zoo, Surrey University and APHA team opted for a T-cell-based approach using proven vaccine delivery methods. The vaccine is given via injection with booster doses, making it ideal for use in zoos and sanctuaries, with plans underway to develop delivery methods suitable for wild populations.
Dr Falko Steinbach, Professor of Veterinary Immunology at the University of Surrey and senior author of the study, said:
“This is a landmark moment in our work to develop safe and efficacious vaccines. For the first time, we have shown in elephants that a vaccine can trigger the type of immune response needed to protect them against EEHV.”
Dr Tanja Maehr, from the Animal and Plant Health Agency, a lead author of the study and a former Chester Zoo Conservation Fellow, added:
“Our findings give real hope that vaccination can become a practical tool for preventing severe disease and death due to EEHV. The next step could be to trial the vaccine in more calves and in range countries so we can begin to protect those most at risk.”
Experts say that without the specialised knowledge and hands-on access provided by zoos caring for the species, developing a vaccine would have been nearly impossible.
Dr Javier Lopez, Head of Veterinary Services at Chester Zoo, emphasised the scale and urgency of the effort. He said:
“This project was always designed to support the global fight against EEHV. I’m incredibly proud of the team. It’s taken years of hard work, collaboration and sheer determination to get to this point.
“Now, time is critical – this disease can kill within 24 hours. That’s why we’re working to clear the legal and logistical hurdles needed to send the vaccine worldwide. As a conservation charity, our goal is for the vaccine to be open source and freely available to help save as many elephants as possible. And in the meantime, we’re sharing our knowledge so others can build and deliver the vaccine themselves, ensuring every elephant has a chance at protection.
“This is a critical turning point. Until now, EEHV has been a silent killer. With this vaccine, we finally have a weapon to fight back.”
Chester Zoo continues to raise vital funds to support further research and vaccine development in the fight against EEHV. To donate, visit www.chesterzoo.org/neverforgetcampaign
Timeline:
1980-90s: The first official cases of EEHV are recorded.
2009: Chester Zoo experiences its first elephant loss due to EEHV. At this stage the international conservation community knows very little about the disease.
2007-2012: EEHV continues to cause fatalities in zoos, elephant orphanages and sanctuaries across the world. Monitoring the disease in wild populations is more difficult, but more and more wild cases begin to be recorded.
2013: Chester Zoo takes the lead on behalf of the global conservation community and spearheads a focused research project to combat the disease. The zoo launches its ‘Never Forget’ campaign to raise funds for continued research into the virus and to support vaccine development, with almost £250k in public support pledged.
2019: Indali Hi-Way, who was born at the zoo, becomes one of only a handful of recorded survivors of EEHV. The vaccine is not available yet, but she undergoes swift and intensive therapeutic treatment after developing symptoms.
2021: The world’s first vaccine has been developed by the Chester Zoo, Surrey University and APHA team. The trial begins at Chester Zoo, supported by other zoos in the UK and Ireland.
2025: The trial results are in, analysed and published. The vaccine is ready for a wider roll-out globally.
Factfile:
- EEHV is present (endemic) in elephant populations. The disease, which causes haemorrhaging, has up to an 80% fatality rate once symptoms commence.
- Pretty much all adult elephants carry the virus, which remains latent but may shed (become infectious), exposing other elephants to the virus.
- While adult elephants have acquired immunity, young elephants have not. It takes time for the body to recognise previously unknown viruses, and most EEHV fatalities occur before the young elephant can develop a learned immune response.
- The vaccine works by stimulating an elephant’s immune system before they are exposed to the virus. It targets EEHV-1A, the virus genotype most associated with fatal haemorrhagic disease.
- It specifically primes the T-cells, which destroy infected cells and signal the presence of the virus to other parts of the immune system, to fight off the virus more quickly.
- Unlike the viruses that cause measles and TB in humans, EEHV cannot be cultured in a lab. This means that it is not possible to inoculate elephants by introducing a weakened version of the virus so their immune systems can recognise the virus.
- To tackle these problems, scientists identified two specific proteins that are only created when a strain of EEHV virus starts to replicate itself in the host’s cells. By targeting protein markers within these cells, rather than markers on the surface of the virus, T-cells are primed to specifically attack the ‘factories’ that reproduce the virus.
- The vaccine is heterologous, meaning it involves delivering multiple injections with different vaccine platforms. It offers a double-pronged way of activating a vaccinated elephant’s defences.
- The team developed a new blood test to check the impact of the antigens on the elephants, monitored their health and looked at more than 2,000 immune-related genes to check whether the vaccine was performing as expected. Blood samples taken from Chester Zoo elephants were analysed at the University of Surrey.
- None of the vaccinated elephants showed adverse reactions to the injections.
- The effectiveness of the vaccine will be measured in the long term by looking at the health of herds and whether recorded instances of EEHV decrease.
- The researchers are clear that this is not the end of the fight against EEHV. The team has pledged to keep working to provide the best possible defence against the virus.
Chester Zoo plants 19,000 new trees in bid to restore Cheshire’s lost woodlands
Zoo conservationists create “amazing woodland for the future”
New swathe of woodland forms part of new wildlife corridor offering a much-needed sanctuary for animals and plants in Cheshire
Spanning almost 10 hectares, it is the zoo’s biggest ever habitat creation project and one of the largest tree planting initiatives to take place in Cheshire for several years
Woodland will provide a haven for some of the UK’s most precious species, including the green woodpecker, badgers, harvest mice and speckled wood butterflies
Chester Zoo has created a huge new area of woodland in Cheshire.
Almost 19,000 trees have been planted on the zoo’s land in Upton in Chester, transforming a low-biodiversity silage field into a major new sanctuary for UK wildlife.
Spanning more than nine hectares, it's the zoo’s biggest habitat creation project to date and one of the largest tree planting projects to take place in Cheshire in several years. The initiative forms part of a wider wildlife corridor across the region.
Conservationists at the zoo hope the new woodland will provide a home for a variety of plants and animals, as well as improving soil health and carbon storage to help fight climate change. They say the location has been specially selected to link two smaller woods, forming one continuous woodland, which will help to improve habitat connectivity for local wildlife and increase the woodland’s resistance to pests and diseases.
A diverse mix of UK native broadleaf trees species, including oak, beech and hazel, have been planted to provide high biodiversity benefits and resilience to climate change, while the layout has been designed to include meadow rides and glades which will help species such as butterflies, small mammals and birds.
Woodland once covered large areas of Cheshire. However, this important type of habitat has reduced considerably from much of the county due to development projects – namely from the building of houses, growth of infrastructure such as railways and roads, agricultural expansion, pollution, invasive species and disease. Nationwide it is also limited to small patches dotted across the country, making it one of the most endangered habitat-types in the UK.
Dr Simon Dowell, Director of Science and Policy at Chester Zoo, said:
“Woodland cover in Cheshire is significantly lower than the national average. That’s why it’s so important, and so exciting, to have created such a valuable new habitat here at the zoo.
“Once established, this woodland will provide a richer and more diverse habitat for a range of species, drawing in the likes of green woodpeckers, badgers, harvest mice and butterflies such as the speckled wood.
“Its location was carefully chosen to link two existing but much smaller woods, forming a continuous woodland which spans almost 13 hectares in total. With hedgerows adjacent to the woodland edge, it’ll enable wildlife to move through the landscape much more safely.
“Chester Zoo is widely known for its work to protect species in places right across the world but it’s important that we look after nature on our doorstep too. Having already established a nature reserve at the zoo, the creation of this latest large-scale habitat will deliver benefits for wildlife for decades to come, making a vital contribution to reversing the decline in biodiversity we’re facing here in the UK. This really is an amazing woodland for the future.”
The zoo’s tree planting project contributes to Cheshire West and Chester’s Nature Recovery Strategy – a plan to help wildlife thrive, improve the ecological network and target investment in nature in the region.
Tree planting is a key part of the UK government’s plan to combat climate change and reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with a target to plant 30,000 hectares of new woodland every year by 2025.
The woodland project is also key to the zoo’s ambitious sustainability programme, helping to deliver against its targets to be net zero in scope 1 & 2 emissions by 2030 and to achieve net gain for UK biodiversity, with 30% of zoo land managed for UK biodiversity by 2030.
Jennifer Kelly, Chester Zoo’s Head of Sustainability, said:
“The climate and biodiversity crises are intrinsically linked and must be tackled together. Woodlands and forests are critical to this. Trees absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, as well as helping us adapt to the effects of climate change. They also have huge benefits to soil health, water and air quality and biodiversity, providing stable ecosystems where wildlife can thrive. It’s estimated that the new woodland at Chester Zoo will store around 2,400 tonnes of carbon over its lifetime, whilst providing a haven for some of our most precious UK species.
“Our new woodland will provide a lasting legacy for future generations. We’re proud to work alongside The Mersey Forest to contribute to national climate action as well as Cheshire’s nature recovery strategy, showcasing what’s possible and helping contribute to a thriving regional environment for both wildlife and people. This is about collaborating across the region, with everyone playing their part to deliver a more sustainable future.”
The woodland planted at the zoo has been funded by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) through the Nature for Climate Fund, and delivered in partnership with the Mersey Forest.
The Mersey Forest – one of England’s Community Forests – is a growing network of woodlands and green spaces across Cheshire, and Merseyside and one of the leading environmental initiatives in the North West. It forms part of the wider Northern Forest, where every tree planted is helping to create a network of woodland that stretches from Liverpool to the Yorkshire Coast.
Paul Nolan, Director of The Mersey Forest, added:
“The Mersey Forest Partnership has planted close to 10 million trees over the past 30 years, but we still lag well behind the national average for woodland coverage. We continue to work with landowners, such as Chester Zoo, to plant more trees and create a rich mosaic of habitats for people and nature, that is helping to boost biodiversity and capture carbon. The planting at Chester Zoo is a great example of how we can support local landowners, and we’re excited to see how successful the scheme has been.”
“Amazing” moment a rare baby rhino is born is caught on camera at Chester Zoo
Zookeepers film the birth of a critically endangered eastern black rhino calf
Newly released images show mum Zuri and her precious new arrival bonding together following 15-month pregnancy
Rhino experts say the pair are ‘inseparable’
The eastern black rhino faces a very high risk of extinction
Poaching for the illegal wildlife trade has decimated rhino numbers – leaving less than 600 in the wild
Zoo conservationists are protecting wild rhinos in Africa where new reports show numbers have increased for the first time in a decade
Conservationists at Chester Zoo have shared their “joy” following the birth of one of the world’s rarest mammals, a critically endangered eastern black rhino.
The female calf was safely delivered onto a bed of soft sand by new mum Zuri on Sunday 12 November at 2:45pm, following a 15-month pregnancy.
Rhino experts say it’s “quite unusual” for a calf to be born in daylight, which gave keepers the unique opportunity to capture the special moment on camera.
Heartwarming images of the new baby during its first few days of life show the new baby sticking closely to mum.
The eastern black rhino is listed as critically endangered by the world’s authority on the state of nature, The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), meaning it faces a very high chance of becoming extinct in the wild. Less than 600 are now found across Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.
Conservationists say the birth of a healthy calf will help global efforts to prevent the species from disappearing altogether.
Rhino Team Manager Emma Evison, who has been closely monitoring mum and calf, said:
“We’d been eagerly awaiting this birth for 15 long months and, as it’s quite unusual for a rhino to give birth in daylight hours, we really didn’t expect it to happen right in front of us as we were going about our day. To be able to witness the calf safely entering the world, in front of our very own eyes, was just the most incredible privilege.
“What’s most important now during these first few days is that mum Zuri and her new baby spend some time bonding and getting to know one another. So far, the pair have been inseparable and the little one is feeding regularly and already gaining in size and weight. She’s very inquisitive and full of energy, which is just brilliant to see.
“Sadly this is a species that, for more than century, has been hunted down and poached for its horn before being sold on the illegal wildlife markets. This precious newborn’s arrival is another positive step in safeguarding the species, which is what the endangered species breeding programme in European conservation zoos that we’re a leading part of is striving to do. This programme has already showed huge success, with a group of rhinos bred in zoo’s in Europe having been translocated to a protected National Park in Africa.”
The illegal wildlife trade – the world’s fourth biggest international crime – is the main driver in thousands of species disappearing from the wild, including the eastern black rhino. The demand for rhino horn, stemming from the traditional Asian medicine market, has seen 95% Africa’s rhinos wiped out by poaching.
However, new figures released this year show that, for the first time in more than a decade, rhino numbers have increased slightly across Africa due to successful conservation efforts.
Mike Jordan, Director of Animals and Plants at the zoo, added:
“Our efforts to protect this magnificent species extend far beyond the zoo’s boundaries and, while it’s incredibly positive news that conservation efforts across Africa have led to a small recovery in rhino numbers, giving them some much needed breathing space, we know there’s still lots of work to be done.
“We’re home to the UK’s only zoo-based animal endocrine lab where we’ve developed the skills and techniques to track rhino hormones by closely analysing their dung. This has helped us to massively improve the chances of a successful mating and further increase numbers of this critically endangered species. The technology is so precise that we’re now transferring it to a specialist lab in Kenya which is helping rangers and vets there to support growth of the wild population.
“Zuri and her new arrival is testament to the unwavering dedication of conservationists here at Chester, and around the world, who are working to safeguard these incredible animals and ensure that they thrive long into the future.”
In June 2019 the zoo also spearheaded a project that saw a group of Eastern black rhinos, bred as part of the safety-net population in European zoos, translocated from Europe to Akagera national Park in Rwanda, Africa.
