Coronavirus: Tiger at New York’s Bronx Zoo tests positive for COVID-19

A tiger in a New York zoo has tested positive for coronavirus and three others are showing symptoms of the highly contagious respiratory infection.

Nadia, a four-year-old female Malayan tiger, and three African lions had developed a dry cough at the Bronx Zoo located within the Bronx Park.

All four big cats are expected to recover.

The US Department of Agriculture, which confirmed Nadia’s test result at its veterinary lab, believes it is the first known coronavirus infection in an animal in America or a tiger anywhere in the world.

The tigers experienced some decrease in appetite but are otherwise “doing well under veterinary care and are bright, alert and interactive with their keepers”

“We tested the cat [Nadia] 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.

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