The tiger was infected by a zoo employee who was "asymptomatically infected with the virus," according to the Wildlife Conservation Society
A tiger at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo in New York has tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Nadia, a 4-year-old female Malayan tiger, was tested by the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory after she — along with six other cats at the zoo — developed a dry cough, the WCS said in a news release. They are all expected to recover.
According to CNN, Nadia is the first known animal to be infected in the United States, as well as the first tiger to test positive.
“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,” WCS said. “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.”
According to the organization, the cats were infected by a zoo employee who was “asymptomatically infected with the virus” while caring for them.
