Kozhikode: A survey report released by the Forest Department in 2023 reveals that approximately 40 percent of reported wild elephant deaths in Kerala consist of calves. As per data, around 735 elephants died between 2015 and 2022 in the state. Of these, 275 were under the age of 10 while 155 were between 10 and 20 years. 

According to the survey, the rise in death rate of calves is due to Herpesvirus (EEHV), a virus which can cause a highly fatal hemorrhagic disease when transmitted to young Asian elephants. No cure has been found for the infection so far. 

“Symptoms include not feeding, swelling of the neck and face, and blue tongue. The disease is classified into three categories: early, acute and severe-acute. In the severe phase, the animal will die within an hour due to internal bleeding,” said Dr M Balasubramanian, lead wildlife monitoring expert. 

Further, it is very difficult to spot an ailing elephant inside a forest. This results in higher chances of spread of the disease, which has significantly affected elephant numbers in the state. 

According to the survey report, at present, there are only six per cent juvenile elephants (aged below 10 years) in Kerala. Whereas, old elephants aged above 40 years account for 58 per cent.