JAKARTA - Nadia, a tiger at the Bronx Zoo, New York, United States (US) is the first animal to test positive for COVID-19. Apart from Nadia, two other tigers and three African lions also suffer from a dry cough like the symptoms of the corona virus.
The Conservation Society immediately took care of Nadia and several other big cats at the Bronx Zoo who had respiratory symptoms. The test for the corona virus, aka Covid-19, was carried out directly for the African tiger and lion, which is supervised by the USDA National Animal Service Laboratory based in Ames, Iowa.
"Even though they have decreased their appetite, the tigers and lions at the Bronx Zoo are declared fine as long as they are under the supervision of animal caregivers. They are still alert and interactive with their caretakers," the zoo said as quoted by CNN.
The animals caught COVID-19 from a zoo worker who contracted COVID-19 without any symptoms. The officer takes care of these animals on a daily basis. The Bronx Zoo has been closed to the public since March 16.
As a result of contracting a tiger with COVID-19, the US Department of Agriculture has asked people who feel the symptoms of COVID-19 to be advised to minimize contact with animals, including pets, until more information is known about this virus.
"It is not known how this disease will develop in big cats because different species react differently to new infections, but we will continue to monitor them closely and anticipate a full recovery," he added.
In addition, zoos across the US are now making extra efforts to protect great apes in their care, as great apes can easily catch respiratory diseases from humans. Experts have warned that they may be particularly vulnerable to COVID-19
The Bronx Zoo team also promised to share diagnostic information widely with zoos and the scientific community
"I suspect there are other cases, and now that we are sharing this information, I have a feeling that another case might arise," said Paul Calle, chief veterinarian for the Bronx Zoo.
John Goodrich, chief scientist and director of the tiger program at Panthera, a global big cat conservation organization, is concerned about wild tiger populations.
“Big cats like tigers and lions are already facing threats to their survival in the wild. "If COVID-19 can infect a population of feral big cats and become a significant cause of death, this will be a very serious concern for the future of this species," said Goodrich.
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