Two baby elephants have died after suffering a virus at Chester Zoo, leaving staff and visitors absolutely devastated.
The zoo announced three-year-old Nandita Hi Way and 18-month-old Aayu Hi Way were fighting for their lives on Wednesday, after contracting deadly elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV).
Despite doing everything that could be done to save the elephants using groundbreaking blood transfusion procedures, the zoo has since confirmed that both calves have died.
Speaking to Cheshire Live, the zoo's director of animals, Mike Jordan, said: "Aayu and his half-sister Nandita were wonderful, confident and energetic calves, who loved nothing more than playing with the rest of the family herd - whether in the sand or the pool.
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"They will be missed by their young siblings in the herd who will no doubt mourn for a short time.
"To lose them both is also devastating to all of us here who have cared for them day in, day out.
"We fought for them until the very last moments, but were unable to save them. It is just heartbreaking."
Not a great deal is known about the fatal virus EEHV and there is currently no vaccination against the disease, however researchers are working to create a treatment that will develop elephants' immune systems in what to look for.
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As well as the tragic deaths recorded in zoos, conservationists have also discovered fatalities in at least seven different countries across Asia in the wild, including India, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia (Sumatra) and Myanmar.
Featured Image Credit: PA ImagesTopics: News, Chester Zoo