End Of Year - Denver Zoo

PLASMA SAVES ELEPHANTS

PLASMA SAVES GERENUKS

PLASMA SAVES OKAPIS

PLASMA SAVES ELEPHANTS

YOUR DONATION SAVES ELEPHANTS like Groucho, Bodhi, Billy, Chuck + Jake

EEHV (elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus) is a leading killer of Asian elephants, both in human care and in the wild. This deadly viral infection is often latent, which can only be determined with a blood test—and plasma transfusions are often the first line of treatment. Groucho, our 49-year-old Asian elephant, graciously allows us to collect plasma samples. With our own veterinary centrifuge and storage facilities, Denver Zoo would have the ability to process and store plasma safely and quickly, providing powerful and essential protection for our beloved bachelor herd.

Your donation is essential to funding plasma equipment for our new veterinary hospital.

PLASMA SAVES GERENUKS

YOUR DONATION SAVES GERENUKS like Agnes

Agnes, the newest addition to our southern gerenuk herd, had a bit of a rough start. When she was born this past August, she was a delicate 12 inches tall; unable to nurse or bond with her mom, she was failing to thrive. Because she wasn’t getting critical antibodies from her mother’s milk, the veterinary team intervened with a plasma transfusion. Fortunately, mammals can receive plasma from any animal of the same species. Because we had recently taken and separated a sample from Aggie’s dad, Echo, we were able to act quickly—but if we had a permanent plasma bank, we would always be prepared to save lives.

Your donation is essential to ensuring fast response to medical needs—and bright futures for our animals.

PLASMA SAVES OKAPIS

YOUR DONATION SAVES OKAPIS like Forest

Okapis, like all hooved mammals, receive ALL their critical antibodies within the first 24 hours of life, from their mothers’ milk. When little Forest was born, he was unable to stand, walk or nurse—which meant he was missing out on the nutrients his growing immune system needed to fight off infection to earn his stripes. Without any Okapi plasma on hand, our veterinary team was reliant upon fellow AZA member Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to overnight plasma from its on-site blood bank for an emergency transfusion the next day. The ability to collect, process and store fresh plasma would ensure a speedy response to our own urgent medical needs…and enable Denver Zoo to help other organizations save animals, too.

Your donation is critical to providing our animals with life-saving plasma equipment.

YOUR DONATION SAVES ANIMALS