The Lincoln Children’s Zoo in Lincoln, Nebraska, reported on October 13, 2021, that three of their snow leopards and two of the Sumatran Tigers have contracted COVID-19. This past Friday evening, a spokesperson for the zoo announced that the three snow leopards have died but the two Sumatran Tigers have “seemingly” recovered.
In a statement that the zoo put out, they stated, “Our leopards, Ranney, Everest, and Makaly, were beloved by our entire community inside and outside of the zoo. This loss is truly heartbreaking, and we are all grieving together.”
Since the positive test results of the snow leopards and tigers, the zoo staff noticed a change in their behaviors. Testing by the zoo was done via fecal matter and nasal swabs. After testing positive, the zoo staff treated the animals with steroids and antibiotics to try to help with preventing a secondary infection.
No other animals at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo were showing symptoms or tested positive and there has been no indication of where the source of the infection came from.
At the time of the original statement, the zoo’s representative said, “Given the substantial distance between the animals and visitors, the public is not, nor has been, at any risk.” The zoo has remained open to the public and continues to take precautions to keep everyone safe.
