The Barcelona zoo is now the second zoo where large felines have contracted coronavirus following the Bronx Zoo in New York, where four tigers and three lions tested positive for COVID-19 in April.

Veterinary authorities of Barcelona zoo have revealed that four lions have tested positive for COVID-19.

According to the zoo, three females named Zala, Nima and Run Run and Kiumbe, a male, were tested after keepers noticed they showed slight coronavirus symptoms.

The authorities are investigating how the lions became infected after two staff members also tested positive for coronavirus last month.

The lions underwent a standard PCR swab test to confirm the infection after the animals began showing upper respiratory symptoms.

Treatment

The vets associated with the zoo have been treating the lions with anti-inflammatory drugs and the animals have been responding well.

Commenting on the condition and line of treatment, the zoo authorities said in a statement: “The lions were given veterinary care for their mild clinical condition — similar to a very mild flu condition — through anti-inflammatory treatment and close monitoring, and the animals responded well.”

Coronavirus in animals

The Barcelona zoo is now the second zoo where large felines have contracted coronavirus after the Bronx Zoo in New York, where four tigers and three lions tested positive for COVID-19 in April.

Zoo health authorities are optimistic there will be no widespread infections as the lions have had no contact with other animals.

Apart from lions and tigers, COVID-19 infections have also been identified on 15 mink farms in Utah, Wisconsin, and Michigan and other countries including the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, France, Greece, and Spain sparking fresh calls to ban the fur industry.

Senior Health Researcher of UK-based animal-rights group Viva!, Justine Butler, PhD, said in a statement: “Mink farms provide the ideal environment for a mutating virus. The animals are kept in horrific conditions and experience extreme stress as a result of their cramped and inhumane surroundings. On these farms, the animals are tightly packed into filthy wire cages, standing on top of each other and in their own faeces, which enables viruses to quickly mutate and spread throughout the population.

 “Factory farms breed pandemics—it’s simple. We are devastated by this news. These mink have lived miserable lives full of pain and suffering, which will now be brutally ended—all so that humans can wear their fur as a completely useless fashion accessory. The solution is simple: go vegan and stop supporting these cruel industries altogether.”

• Read: 17m mink to be culled in Denmark after coronavirus mutation spreads to people

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Mohsina Dodhiya

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