New Delhi, Nov 3 (PTI) The Delhi zoo's lone African elephant, Shankar, died of a viral infection that affected his heart, its final post-mortem report has revealed.

Delhi Zoo director Sanjeet Kumar did not comment on the matter or the findings of the report.

Officials said the Encephalomyocarditis (EMCV) virus, which causes inflammation of heart muscles, was identified as the cause of death. The elephant was found dead in its enclosure on September 17.

Earlier, the zoo said preliminary findings suggested "acute cardiac failure", with the final cause to be confirmed by the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly.

The EMCV virus can spread through rodents such as rats, which act as natural reservoirs, they said, adding that the infection leads to inflammation of heart muscl

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