A fourth elephant at Dublin Zoo has tested positive for a virus that has left two other elephants dead over the past month.
Samiya, the zoo's nine-year-old Asian elephant, has tested positive for Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV).
Eight-year-old Avani and seven-year-old Zinda died from EEHV in recent weeks while Asha, a 17-year-old Asian elephant and mother of Zinda, has also tested positive for the virus.
Dublin Zoo said that both Asha and Samiya, who turns 10 in September, are currently showing no outward signs of illness.
Tests have confirmed that both elephants have some antibodies, which the zoo has said may boost the chances of a positive outcome.
"EEHV remains an extremely difficult illness to predict," it said in a statement.
"However, Samiya and Asha continue to receive the best possible treatment from our wonderful veterinary and animal care teams, who have been working so incredibly hard through this challenging period," it added.
Both Samiya and Asha are being continuously monitored for any changes in their health. The other elephants in the herd are currently not showing any signs of EEHV.
The virus is a type of herpes and can lie dormant for years before causing symptoms.
It has a very high mortality rate in animals under ten years old.
