Little Tsavo, an African elephant, was born into captivity on March 7, 2020 at the Der Grüne Zoo Wuppertal in Germany to his mother Sweni. On November 21, 2022, Tsavo had to be euthanized due to tetanus. The infection was confirmed by tests at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). 
Veterinarians suspected that tetanus could have been the cause of his sudden deterioration in health. It's unusual, nonetheless.According to the Wuppertal Zoo, this is the first case of tetanus that has been described & confirmed in an African elephant & in an elephant in Europe.
Treatment with medication would have been difficult, the zoo explains. In addition, there is no vaccine against tetanus approved for zoo animals. "It is not customary to vaccinate because there has not yet been a case of tetanus in elephants in Europe," said administrative
director Jochen Witjes after the young animal's death. Tsavo was only 2 years & eight months old. At first, he had problems with his posture, cramps followed a little later, & in the end he could no longer get up. According to the zoo, a tusk fracture in September or a weeping
patch of skin may have led to the infection. It is unclear whether he suffered from the herpes virus specific to elephants.
Activists in Germany have long contended that the Wuppertal Zoo abuses their elephants for commercial purposes. In order to generate additional income,
Activists in Germany have long contended that the Wuppertal Zoo abuses their elephants for commercial purposes. In order to generate additional income,
Wuppertal Zoo offers guided tours behind the scenes & interactions with the elephants. The elephants are forced to take part in photoshoots, elephant rides, weddings, & other events. The elephants are forced to pose for photos with visitors or to carry visitors on their backs.
They are made compliant with bull hooks.
Little Tsavo, we are sorry your life ended up being so brief & that the humans that were supposed to care for you, let you get sick. Your life may have been short, but you did manage to escape the indignities you likely would’ve had to
Little Tsavo, we are sorry your life ended up being so brief & that the humans that were supposed to care for you, let you get sick. Your life may have been short, but you did manage to escape the indignities you likely would’ve had to
endure at this zoo in your future. We hope you are running free in the fields in the afterlife now.#RIPTsavo #vigil4elephants #vigil4elephants2022
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
