April 6, 2020

Andrew Campbell 

Recently officials of the Bronx Zoo in New York City announced a 4-year-old female tiger from Malaysia has tested positive for the Coronavirus. The National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Iowa confirmed the tiger named Nadia and some other tigers and lions infected with the Coronavirus from a sick staff who had shown no symptoms while taking care of the tigers.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials said these tigers and lions had shown symptoms of respiratory illness in a dry cough and a decrease in appetite. Health experts believed the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has been spread out by person-to-person transmission. According to Hong Kong agriculture officials, it is impossible for pet dogs and cats to pass the coronavirus to humans. Still there is possibility for animals to test positive if they are exposed to COVID-19. Therefore conservation experts suggest to take measures to protect wild gorillas, chimps and orangutans from reach of the virus.

According to the Bronx Zoo, these tigers and lions are expected to recover. Meanwhile, the Wildlife Conservation Society has temporarily closed the Bronx Zoo along with other zoos of New York City since March 16 to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Photo:Webshot.