Chester Zoo elephant calf Bala Hi Way dies after illness

The two-year-old elephant had contracted an illness called elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus, which affects wild and captive elephants

An Asian elephant calf has died at Chester Zoo after falling ill with a viral infection.

Bala Hi Way, who was born in January 2013, became ill over the weekend and was being treated by veterinary teams at the zoo.

Despite their efforts, the animal died on Monday night, the zoo confirmed.

The two-year-old had contracted an illness called elephant endotheliotropic herpes virus, which affects wild and captive elephants.

Dr Mark Pilgrim, the zoo's director general, said: "Bala was a very well-known character among zoo staff and visitors alike, and her death will be felt by many, especially those who cared for her every day.

"Both keeping and veterinary teams did everything possible to help her when she fell ill.

"It is a very, very sad time for everyone involved."