Keesa, the Great Plains Zoo's Amur tiger. Photo from the GPZ.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Just how crazy is COVID-19? So crazy, even tigers can get it.
The Great Plains Zoo says Keesa, one of the zoo’s Amur tigers, tested positive for the virus this week.
The zoo thinks that perhaps other of their big cats may also have the virus.
Like humans, they can show similar symptoms, such as coughing and lethargy.
All of the big felines have been removed from public view to protect them and zoo-goers.
Below is a news release from the zoo.
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SIOUX FALLS: An Amur Tiger at the Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum of Natural History (GPZ) has tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. Last week, Zookeepers observed coughing and lethargy in the Amur tiger, Keesa. A sample was taken and sent in for lab testing and GPZ received the results Oct. 6, 2021.
Several other big cats, including two Amur tigers and two snow leopards, have since exhibited symptoms. All are being tested for COVID-19 and are currently being managed under the assumption of a positive result. The health of the cats is being closely monitored, and affected cats are being treated with supportive therapies for the duration of their illness.
The health and safety of GPZ staff, animals and visitors is our top priority. While transmission from cats to humans has not been shown to occur, all big cats have been removed from public exhibit spaces for ongoing treatment and observation. Once the cats have recovered from the infection, access will again be allowed to their public enclosures. The source of Keesa’s infection is not known. However, personnel do wear personal protective equipment at all times when working in COVID-19 susceptible animal areas.
“It’s unfortunate that, in spite of the precautions taken, we are seeing this disease in several of our large cats. The speed with which it has moved between these tigers and leopards really speaks to the insidious nature of this virus. Usually, these species seem to recover well with supportive therapy and our animal care team is working hard to make sure that our cats follow that trend,” said Louden Wright, GPZ’s Veterinarian.
A SARS-COV-2 vaccine made by Zoetis was recently approved by the United States Department of Agriculture. Once that vaccine is received, susceptible animals at GPZ will be vaccinated to help prevent subsequent disease outbreaks.
