Tiger tests positive to coronavirus

A female Malayan tiger, known as  Nadia, has tested positive to coronavirus, while her sister Azul, two Amur tigers, and three African lions had at first earlier developed a dry cough and are all expected to recover.

Penpushing reports that, that this was made known in a statement  by officials from the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo in New York ,adding that  this is becoming the first of its kind to be declared so,

The statement disclosed that, samples were  taken from them, with results from the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory, based in Ames, Iowa, showing  that only  the 4 year old Nadia tested positive to the disease.

Penpushing further reports that, the zoo authorities said no other animals at the zoo showed the symptoms, stating that, “our cats were infected by a person caring for them who was asymptomatically infected with the virus or before that person developed symptoms.

“Though they have experienced some decrease in appetite, the cats at the Bronx Zoo are otherwise doing well under veterinary care and are bright, alert, and interactive with their keepers,” the authorities said.

“It is not known how this disease will develop in big cats since different species can react differently to novel infections, but we will continue to monitor them closely and anticipate full recoveries, the zoo management said

Penpushing also reports that, the USDA has  advised anyone sick with the coronavirus  to minimize contact with animals, including pets, until more information is known about the virus,