A 4-year-old female Malayan tiger at the Bronx Zoo has been positive for Coronavirus. According to the Bronx Zoo in New York City, the test results were confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Lowa.
It is believed that Nadia, her sister Azul, as well as two Amur tigers and three African lions have suffered a dry cough and are expected to recover completely. The animal was believed to be infected by the zoo’s keeper.
“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 added.
As said by BBC, other big cats in the zoo, like snow leopards, cheetahs, a clouded leopard, an Amur leopard, a puma, a serval, and four other tigers are not showing any signs of illness.
The zoo has been closed since March 16 to the public as a precautionary measure and they have been placed according to the facilities provided.
A statement from the zoo said there was no evidence of anyone infected with COVID-19 in America by animals including pets such as dogs and cats.