Snow leopards die from COVID at Lincoln Children’s Zoo in Nebraska
Three snow leopards on the Lincoln, Nebraska, Kids’s Zoo have died from problems attributable to COVID-19 after a number of animals had been contaminated, the zoo stated Friday.
“This loss is really heartbreaking, and we’re all grieving collectively,” the zoo stated in an announcement on Facebook.
Snow leopards Ranney, Everest and Makalu examined constructive after some exhibited signs, the zoo had announced last month. The zoo’s Sumatran tigers additionally confirmed signs and examined constructive. They seem to have totally recovered, the zoo stated Friday.
The animals had been handled with steroids and antibiotics, in keeping with the zoo.
“The Zoo has performed a radical investigation of all employees that had been in shut proximity to the felids. There is no such thing as a proof to pinpoint the supply of the an infection,” the zoo stated final month after the infections had been detected.
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The snow leopards are amongst a number of to contract the coronavirus in zoos across the nation. The snow leopards NeeCee, Kimti and Meru all examined constructive on the Louisville Zoo and recovered from their sicknesses late final 12 months. Ramil and Naphisa, two snow leopards on the San Diego Zoo, examined constructive this summer season after zookeepers seen coughs.
Different zoo animals including lions, tigersand gorillas have gotten COVID at zoos, and a few instances have been attributed to transmission from handlers. Some zoos have vaccinated their animals. Eighty animals on the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden acquired two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine created for veterinary use as of final month.
The Lincoln Kids’s Zoo didn’t say whether or not its animals had been vaccinated.
“The Lincoln Kids’s Zoo stays open to the general public and continues to take each precaution to forestall the unfold of COVID-19 to people and animals,” the zoo stated.