Lions tests Covid-19 positive at Chennai zoo; one lioness dies

The zoological park has round 15 lions the place eight are feminine and 7 are male. Take a look at outcomes of 4 are presently awaited.

The affect of Covid-19 pandemic has been such that even animals are affected with the an infection. Just lately, lions at a zoo in Chennai, Tamil Nadu have examined constructive for Covid-19 and one 9 12 months outdated lioness- also referred to as Neela succumbed to the viral an infection. To this point, eight different lions on the Aringnar Anna Zoological Park (AAZP) close to Vandalur have been examined constructive for the virus. Based on a press release by zoo authorities, the lioness died of Covid-19 on June 3 at round 6:15 pm, a report by The IE famous.

The assertion added that the lioness had been asymptomatic. On June 2, a day earlier than its dying, some nasal discharge was seen and instantly, therapy was supplied contemplating it a symptom.

It’s to notice that the zoological park has round 15 lions the place eight are feminine and 7 are male. Take a look at outcomes of 4 are presently awaited. Based on the officers, the lions that had been initially examined constructive for the Coronavirus an infection weren’t the a part of two teams belonging to the safari space. It was on Might 26, when some signs of nasal discharge had been seen together with fever and anorexia (lack of urge for food) in some circumstances. Occasional coughing was additionally seen amongst lions.

The report highlighted that the in-house veterinary group of the zoological park took an instantaneous motion and supplied a group in addition to consultants from the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences College (TANUVAS). These consultants joined zoo officers so as to examine and determine the course of the therapy for these lions. Blood samples of those lions had been collected and had been despatched to TANUVAS. To run assessments, nasal swab, rectal swab and faecal samples of 11 lions had been additionally collected and the Nationwide Institute of Excessive Safety Ailments (NIHSAD) in Bhopal will take a look at these samples. To make sure, these institutes are approved to check SARS CoV-2 in captive animals.

Citing a senior official from the zoological park, the report famous it’s troublesome to determine how the virus has transmitted to animals. He added that the officers are contemplating two potentialities. Both from the caretaker or the feed that’s given to the animals. Nonetheless, individuals engaged with the work are vaccinated towards Covid-19 and are being examined. In actual fact, the feed can be “irradiated within the ultraviolet room.” Due to this fact, they aren’t capable of finding out the precise reason behind the transmission.

In the meantime, gathering samples from lions can be troublesome as they attempt to accumulate samples with out giving sedation as a result of it’s prone to compromise the immunity of the animals.