News

Several Gorillas At San Diego Zoo Safari Park Diagnosed Positive With COVID-19

Several poor gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park have been tested positive for the coronavirus in what are believed to be the first known cases among such primates in the United States and possibly the world as said by the zoo officials on Monday.

According to a report, as many as eight gorillas at the particular San Diego Zoo Safari Park are presumed to have contracted COVID-19 from a human handler after one of the animals tested positive.

Lisa Peterson who is the executive director of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park said The Associated Press news agency, “Aside from some congestion and coughing, the gorillas are doing well”. Veterinarians are closely monitoring the troop of western lowland gorillas. The infected animals are expected to make a full recovery, officials said.

Picture: Google

The zoo stated, “Three animals are exhibiting symptoms like coughing. But because gorillas live together in troops, we have to assume that all members of the family group have been exposed”. Positive test results were confirmed by the US Department of Agriculture National Veterinary Services Laboratories in three gorillas. Feces from all eight in the troop are being taken for testing.

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park has been temporarily closed since December 6 amid the lockdown in California, and the primate habitat where the gorillas are housed poses “no public health risk”. COVID-19 has also been found in a number of other wild-animal species in captivity, including several lions and tigers at the Bronx Zoo in New York and four lions at the Barcelona Zoo in Spain.

Sources: CNN News

Adib Mohd

Recent Posts

SEACare 2025 Solidifies Malaysia’s Leadership in Southeast Asia’s Healthcare Landscape

Malaysia’s commitment to transforming its healthcare system takes centre stage this week as SEACare 2025,… Read More

1 day ago

Drop: A First Date That Turns Into a Psychological Minefield

What happens when trust, trauma, and tequila meet at the same table?  That’s the unnerving… Read More

1 day ago

SME Bank Collaborates with Autism Cafe Project to Empower Autistic Entrepreneurs

Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Berhad (“SME Bank”) has partnered with The Autism Cafe… Read More

1 day ago

Pahlawan Malaysia 2025: Malaysia’s Premier Obstacle Sports Competition Set to Energize the Nation at the Curve, Mutiara Damansara

The Malaysia Obstacle Race Sports Association is proud to announce Pahlawan Malaysia 2025, the premier… Read More

1 day ago

Tesla Malaysia is Celebrating the ‘Earth Week’ to Rewards Owners in Conjunction with a ‘Refer and Win’ Campaign

Embracing the mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy, Tesla Malaysia launches the… Read More

1 day ago

Malaysia’s Viper Niza Racing On The Winners’ Podium At The 12 Hours Of Spa Francorchamps

Malaysians Douglas Khoo, Dominic Ang and Melvin Moh raced to a podium finish at last… Read More

1 day ago

This website uses cookies.