HOUSTON -- Mac, the Houston Zoo's 2-year-old Asian elephant, died on Sunday, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Zoo officials said he died after a brief struggle with herpesvirus.

"The entire zoo staff is absolutely devastated," spokesman Brian Hill said. "It's difficult to put into words and describe the attachment that has developed over the past two years. This is a terrible loss, especially for the elephant keepers and veterinary medical staff who cared for Mac during his time with us."

Mac began treatment for the virus Sunday after keepers saw initial signs that he may have herpesvirus.

"Veterinarians administered two doses of Famciclovir over a period of about seven hours," Hill said. "The early indications were encouraging. Mac's appetite rallied and he took some water."

A necropsy will be performed at Texas A&M University. The results could take several weeks.

There is no cure for herpesvirus, which was discovered by researchers at the Smithsonian National Zoo in 1995.

Many animals carry herpesvirus throughout their lives and never become sick. There is not a direct test to detect elephant herpesvirus in a healthy animal.

Elephants in the wild can also get herpesvirus. Several have died in Asia.

Mac was born at the Houston Zoo on Oct. 1, 2006. He set a birth weight record for Asian elephants coming in at 384 pounds.

More Information:

Houston Zoo: Post Comment About Mac's Passing