4 Lions in Spanish Zoo Tested Positive for COVID-19; 2 Staff Members in Zoo Also Infected

When you thought Covid-19 couldn’t get any worse, even some of the largest (and most dangerous) cats in the world couldn’t escape it.

On Tuesday (8 December), it was reported that four lions at a Barcelona zoo had tested positive for Covid-19.

This is the second known case in which large felines have contracted the virus. Local authorities are currently investigating how they had become infected.

After the first breakout of the virus in the zoo, two staff members had also tested positive.

The four lions, Zala, Nima, Run Run and Kiumbe were tested for Covid-19 after displaying some of the symptoms. The three females and one male lion are currently 16 years old.

Like humans, the lions were tested via PCR tests. This was possible as the animals were familiar with the zookeepers.

Currently Recovering

To further understand how the animals got infected, the Barcelona zoo reached out for help.

The Veterinary Service of Barcelona went on to contact their colleagues based at the Bronx Zoo in New York. Earlier in April, when the coronavirus was still relatively new to us, four tigers and three lions had tested positive there.

They are the only other known case where large felines had contracted the virus.

In a statement, the Barcelona zoo announced that they are currently collaborating with the Veterinary Service of the Bronx Zoo. In addition, they also said that the lions were given veterinary care for their mild conditions which were similar to a mild case of flu.

The animals responded well to their anti-inflammatory treatments and were closely monitored.

They have not been in contact with other animals from the zoo. It is also opened to the public.

Other Known Case

So, what’s with the other case in April?

Back on April 5, the Bronx Zoo reported that their four-year-old Malayan tiger tested positive for Covid-19. Three other tigers and three lions also showed similar symptoms.

They then went on to collect samples from Nadia, the tiger, from her nose, throat and respiratory tract. She was under anaesthesia while they had collected the samples.

They also confirmed that the tigers and lions had exhibited a similar cough, and later on tested positive for Covid-19. Unlike Nadia, these animals were tested via their faecal matter.

The last infected tiger did not display any symptoms and a cough.

In a later update, the zoo also said that the animals were behaving normally and were coughing less. They also reassured the public that their animals were tested in veterinary labs and did not require the resources needed for human testing.

The infected animals had allegedly contracted the virus via a staff member of the zoo who was asymptomatically infected.

So ladies and gentlemen, if you’re using your SingapoRediscovers vouchers to head to the zoo, make sure you wear your mask and don’t anyhowly kiss any lions.

Reader Bao: Wait, what?

Didn’t you guy kiss lions in the zoo?

Featured Image: yykkaa / Shutterstock.com