Covid-19 has reached the inhabitants of the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. This Wednesday, they confirmed that three African lions tested positive for the virus. “Arnold, Kali, and Asani tested positive yesterday”, they wrote on their social media.
The lions had been tested after developing symptoms like coughing and nasal discharge. Nasal and fecal samples for these three lions were collected and tested, confirming the presence of the virus.
The zoo has decided to quarantine the sick lions and is testing another three lions.
“All lions continue to have a normal appetite and appear to be doing well. They are showing few symptoms other than coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge. They are currently being quarantined in their habitat. Veterinarians are monitoring all six lions closely and will treat any serious symptoms as they may arise”, they said in a statement.
They also added that even though the lion habitat at the Zoo is not closed, additional barricades have been added in front of the exhibit to further distance guests out of an abundance of caution.
This is not the first time animals test positive for Covid. In the last weeks deers, tigers, hippos and hyenas have started contracting the coronavirus.
Featured image by Dinesh Murmu from Unsplash