CALGARY — Seven-year-old Mary Frances Mackisoc is still in shock following the devastating death of Malti — a calf elephant at the Calgary Zoo — from heart failure.

“I want to put a card for Malti,” the girl said at a memorial adorned with flowers inside the Elephant Crossing.

Necropsy results released yesterday showed Malti’s heart and blood vessels were attacked by elephant herpesvirus, said Dr. Sandie Black, a zoo veterinarian.

Malti, who turned one in August, battled the virus for several days, but died Saturday shortly after 2 p.m.

Black said the elephant’s keepers had closely watched Malti since her birth and examined her daily for any sign of the fatal virus.

“Its presentation is a bit unusual compared to some of the others that we’re aware of,” Black said.

Doug Whiteside, another zoo veterinarian, said the virus is very difficult to isolate because it has the ability to remain hidden in the body for a period of time.

Whiteside compared the virus to human cold sores, which can reside in the human body and only manifest when the person is undergoing a lot of stress. Herpesvirus can’t be healed and a young animal’s immune system is not strong enough to fight it off.

Veterinarians said little is known about the virus, but they have been working with experts across North America on prevention and treatment.

“Every little information we can find about this virus will help us move into the future,” said Black.

The young elephant was born and bred in the Calgary Zoo. Her death has left zoo officials and veterinarians scrambling for answers as to whether the zoo’s breeding program should continue.

“We’re all in shock. We haven’t really got our heads around planning for the future,” said Black.

Zoo officials said their adult elephants are more resistant to the virus and at minimal risk of contracting it.

Tests are being conducted on Malti’s body, but once they’re done, it will be disposed as biomedical waste and her skeleton will be preserved for educational purposes.

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