Tiger at NYC Bronx Zoo tests positive for COVID-19 virus, additional tigers and lions showing symptoms

NEW YORK, NY. April 6. 2020 – A tiger at the Bronx Zoo has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, and additional lions and tigers have also fallen ill. This positive COVID-19 test for the tiger was confirmed by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory, based in Ames, Iowa.

The positive test is a female 4-year-old Malayan tiger named Nadia. But her sister Azul, two Amur tigers, and three African lions had developed a dry cough and all are expected to recover.

“Our cats were infected by a person caring for them who was asymptomatically infected with the virus or before that person developed symptoms,” zoo officials said. They also stated that “preventive measures are now in place for all staff who are caring for them, and the other cats in our four WCS zoos, to prevent further exposure of any other of our zoo cats.”

The first animal, Nadia started showing symptoms March 27. The initial COVID-19 tests for the tiger were performed at the New York State Diagnostic Laboratory at Cornell University and the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The zoo also said the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory was where confirmatory testing was conducted.

The statement from Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo also says, “Though they have experienced some decrease in appetite, the cats at the Bronx Zoo are otherwise doing well under veterinary care and are bright, alert, and interactive with their keepers.”

The WCS also says, “It is not known how this disease will develop in big cats since different species can react differently to novel infections, but the zoo is continuing to monitor them closely and anticipate full recoveries.

The other big cats suspected to have the virus at the Bronx Zoo have experienced some decrease in appetite, but they are otherwise doing well under veterinary care and are bright, alert, and interactive with their keepers. The WCS says it is not known how this disease will develop in big cats since different species can react differently to novel infections, but we will continue to monitor them closely and anticipate full recoveries.

None of the zoo’s snow leopards, cheetahs, clouded leopard, Amur leopard, puma or serval are showing any signs of illness.

The Bronx Zoo has been closed to the public since March 16. New York has been hardest hit by the virus in the United States.

story by Terry Lankstead

with notes from Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo

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