what's new at the zoo

Houston med school develops revolutionary mRNA vaccine for elephants

Houston Zoo elephant Tess and Baylor College of Medicine doctors

Baylor College of Medicine's Jessica Watts, Dr. Jerome Pollet, and Dr. Paul Ling with Tess.

Photo by Jackelin Reyna/Houston Zoo

Tess, the beloved, 40-year-old matriarch of the Houston Zoo’s elephant herd, is recovering well after receiving the first-ever mRNA vaccine against elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) 1A on Tuesday, June 18. The veterinary staff at the Houston Zoo will monitor Tess in the coming weeks to check her reaction and the efficacy of the vaccine.

EEHV 1A is a deadly infection for Asian Elephants. While generally benign in African Elephants, Asian Elephants can develop fatal hemorrhages. The fatality rate is a whopping 80 percent, making it one of the most serous threats to elephant populations outside of humans.

Anti-viral drugs have some effect on the disease, but two-thirds show no improvement. This has led to a search for a vaccine. For 15 years, the Houston Zoo and Dr. Paul Ling at Baylor College of Medicine’s Department of Virology and Microbiology have partnered to develop the drug. They have been helped by worldwide research from zoos and animal specialists, as well as graduate student Jessica Watts and Dr. Jeroen Pollet at Houston's Texas Children’s Hospital. The research has been funded by private donations, research partnerships, and grants.

Before being inoculated, the mRNA vaccine was exhaustively tested, with the dosage being extrapolated from data involving horses.

Houston Zoo veterinarians will periodically test Tess to see if she is developing the appropriate antibodies. If she is and there are no adverse reactions, the next step will be to administer the vaccine to the rest of the Houston herd. Many of these are Tess’s own children (Tucker, Tupelo, Tilly, and Teddy) and grandchildren (Winnie).

Should the vaccine prove effective, the doses will be made available worldwide to zoos and private elephant sanctuaries. It is likely to have a significant benefit on protecting and preserving the Asian Elephant population. As of January, there are fewer than 50,000 of the animas left in the wild. They are currently listed as endangered, and breeding programs and research done through the Houston Zoo are essential to keeping the animals from going extinct.

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Preserving Houston's history

Historic Houston theater secures $7 million loan to begin renovations

Garden Oaks theater renovation rendering

Courtesy of Arthouse Houston

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A historic Houston movie theater has secured the necessary funds to move forward with its renovation and redevelopment plans.

Community non-profit Arthouse Houston announced on Tuesday, November 10, that it had closed on a seller-financed loan to purchase the Garden Oaks Theater. Thanks to support from 900 donors, Arthouse closed on the $7.1 million property purchase today, putting $2 million down and saving the building from demolition.

“The wind is in our sails,” Arthouse Houston director Maureen McNamara said in a statement. “We expect this level of community support and energy to grow and spread as we enter into the restoration and renovation phase that is coming next. We will restore the original marquee and neon blade sign that was removed but saved. We will apply for national, state, and local historic designations, then seek protected landmark designation as soon as possible once the building loan is paid off.”

Saving the postwar Art Deco cinema on N. Shepherd Dr. has been Arthouse’s primary mission as of late, getting a lot of help from both local devotees and famous natives. Last summer, the organization held the Wes Anderson Homecoming Soiree, where the Houston-born, Oscar-winning auteur came back to Houston to shake some hands and support the endeavor. (Both he and fellow Oscar-winning hometown boy Richard Linklater have been avid supporters.) In September, Arthouse announced that it was only $400,000 short of a targeted $3.1 million goal to cover the down payment and carrying costs.

The true goal for the Garden Oaks is to transform it into an arts and film center, with year-round film and arts programming, film production, eateries, art, and educational resources. The theater will be able to host major film premieres, live performances, and festivals in its 700-plus seat main auditorium. According to McNamara, “Local groups such as Houston Association of Producers, Southwest Alternative Media Project, Performing Arts Houston, HCAS and many more have expressed interest in being part of the new arts center.”

Arthouse has now begun a capital campaign for the estimated $18-20 million project, seeking support from foundations, major private donors, and sponsorship partners. But they’ll also look for community donations for the Name-a-Seat campaign and preservation by-the-foot of the neon blade sign and marquee. Before the grand reopening, the theater hopes to operate a temporary drive-in theater in the large parking lot during renovations.

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