Tiger tests positive for coronavirus! Shocking revelation by Bronx Zoo; India takes note, issues orders

A tiger in New York City has tested positive for coronavirus, according to a news release from the Wildlife Conservation Society`s Bronx Zoo. The four-year-old female Malayan tiger named Nadia, as well as three other tigers and three African lions, "developed a dry cough and all are expected to recover", the BBC reported.
"We tested the cat out of an abundance of caution and will ensure any knowledge we gain about COVID-19 will contribute to the world`s continuing understanding of this novel coronavirus," the zoo said in a statement.

"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 animals are believed to have been infected by a zookeeper. The zoo has been closed since mid-March.

Zoo authorities in India taking preventive measures after tiger in US tests COVID-19 positive

Itanagar (PTI): The authorities of the Biological Park here are taking adequate preventive measures to protect the nine big cats in the zoo, after a tiger in the USA tested positive for COVID-19.

A tiger at New York's Bronx Zoo has tested positive for COVID-19 and is believed to have contracted the virus from a caretaker who was asymptomatic at the time.

"With report of Coronovirus spreading among the inmates of the zoo in USA, we are taking extra care for the big cats... . All the food for the carnivorous animals which are being supplied from Assam, are being properly treated before feeding the animals and even the vehicles are sanitized thoroughly," Biological Park, Itanagar curator Raya Flago told PTI.

सेंट्रल जू अथॉरिटी ने न्यूयॉर्क के ब्रोंक्स ज़ू के एक बाघ में #COVID19 की पुष्टि के बाद, भारत के सभी चिड़ियाघरों द्वारा एहतियाती कदम उठाए जाने के लिए जारी किया निर्देश#IndiaFightsCorona #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/lIsIKOY1sl

— Zee Business (ZeeBusiness) April 6, 2020

He said since the imposition of lockdown, the zoo authority imposed restrictions on the movement of all the staff as they are not allowed to go out of the park.

"We have also made it mandatory for the staff of the park to wear masks and other protective equipment while feeding the inmates of the zoo," Flago added.

The Biological Park Itanagar has six tigers, three leopards and 12 leopard cats including nine jackals among the carnivorous species besides various herbivorous species.

Flago said that food for herbivorous animals have been stored for one month while for the carnivorous species, the designated contractor are presently supplying meat from neighbouring Assam through sub-contractors due to nationwide lockdown.

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"The zoo authority vaccinated all the animals every six months and even vaccinated all domestic animals in the fringe area of the park once in every year free of cost," Flago added.