Great sadness in Hagenbeck Zoo: "Brausepaul" is dead

Created: 06/09/2022, 16:39

By: Fabian Raddatz

Sad news from Hagenbeck Zoo: Elephant boy Raj ("Brausepaul") has died.

The cub was only four years old.

Hamburg – They called him "Brausepaul" because he was so lively and curious: the elephant boy Raj died at the age of just four.

Animal keepers found him lifeless in his enclosure.

Hagenbeck Zoo announced this in a press release on Thursday, June 9, 2022, as reported by 24hamburg.de.

Great sadness for elephant boy Raj.

The little pachyderm died after a short, serious illness at the age of four.

© Lutz Schnier/Hagenbeck Zoo

A heavy blow for the team from the zoo in Hamburg and the numerous fans: "Raj's death is a bitter loss for the herd of elephants and the entire animal keeper team of the elephant house," says district keeper Michael Schmidt.

The herd of elephants, especially mother Shila, mourns the loss of her baby elephant.

Tierpark Hagenbeck: Elephant boy Raj is dead – great sympathy on social media

Under the Facebook post from NDR to Raj's death, the sympathy is great: "A nice trip to the elephant heaven Raj", wishes a user there.

Another posted: "A great loss of such a sensitive and intelligent being.

With the global decline in elephant populations, every life is even more precious.”

Tierpark Hagenbeck: The elephant house remains closed

The little pachyderm is said to have gone bad days before.

Since he had an elevated temperature, the suspicion was quickly on elephant herpes (EEHV).

The viral disease is not uncommon among young elephants and has already caused tragic deaths in other zoos.

Raj loved to play with his elephant buddies, was lively and curious.

© Lutz Schnier/Hagenbeck Zoo

An autopsy scheduled for Thursday afternoon should bring clarity.

The elephant house should also remain closed for the time being, says the Hagenbeck Zoo and asks for your understanding.

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Elephant boy Raj died in Hagenbeck Zoo: Not the first tragic death

In Hagenbeck Zoo, too, it can happen that the animal residents sometimes tragically die much too early.

For example, Hagenbeck mourned the loss of the clever walrus Raisa, who was also “a very loving and eager to learn animal,” animal keeper Dave Nelde recalls.

Raisa also died far too young.