Thread: Taronga Zoo elephant diagnosed with TB

Taronga Zoo elephant diagnosed with TB

One of the stars of Sydney's Taronga Zoo, an 18-year-old Asian elephant, has been diagnosed with Tuberculosis.

The Asian elephant, named Pak Boon, has been diagnosed with the illness which keepers believe she bought with her when she came from Thailand four years ago.

She was tested for the bug when she came to Australia, but tests at the time came up negative.

Pak Boon gave birth three months ago to a female calf, Tuka.

Her handlers say the pregnancy almost certainly brought on the illness, which the zoo's vet says can be quite common in elephants and can lie dormant in their system for years.

The baby has tested negative for TB, as well as the seven other elephants resident at the zoo.

Pak Boon is still on display and has not been quarantined, with staff saying she does not pose a risk to members of the public.

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How sad is that? Poor wee thing.

Originally Posted by Mid

Pak Boon is still on display and has not been quarantined, with staff saying she does not pose a risk to members of the public.

How about to the other elephants?