Zoo Zurich euthanizes newborn elephant calf after health complications

Zoo Zurich has euthanized a newborn male elephant calf, marking the latest in a series of tragic losses for its elephant herd. The calf, born Monday to 40-year-old elephant Indi, showed immediate health issues. It was unable to stand or bear weight on its hind legs, despite repeated attempts to do so.

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The male calf repeatedly made strong attempts to stand, but could not bear sufficient weight on its hind legs, causing it to remain lying on the ground.

"The male calf repeatedly made strong attempts to stand, but could not bear sufficient weight on its hind legs, causing it to remain lying on the ground," Zoo Director Severin Dressen stated in a press release. The calf was separated from its mother for treatment, receiving fluids via infusions. However, examinations revealed no obvious injuries, and the calf remained unable to walk.

Despite continuous veterinary monitoring and the mother being allowed to rejoin her calf overnight, the animal did not stand. "After a renewed overall assessment of the situation, the team decided in favor of the animal's welfare to euthanize the calf," the zoo announced. The prognosis indicated no chance of a "complication-free and viable growth of the calf." Indi was then allowed to bid farewell to her offspring.

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After a renewed overall assessment of the situation, the team decided in favor of the animal's welfare to euthanize the calf.

This incident is the eighth young elephant death at the zoo since 2020. Previous losses include two calves trampled by other elephants in 2020, three deaths from a herpes virus infection in 2022, and a calf born with underdeveloped organs in 2023. A calf born in 2025 also died shortly after birth due to a twisted small intestine.

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complication-free and viable growth of the calf