Lions at Hyderabad zoo test Covid positive

The samples of the lions were sent to the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) for testing after they developed Covid symptoms. The CCMB scientists reportedly found the samples to be positive.

Hyderabad:At least eight Asiatic lions at the Nehru Zoological Park (NZP) in Hyderabad tested Covid positive on Tuesday. Earlier, Covid-19 symptoms have been noticed among the lions in what is believed to be the first case of human to animal transmission of the virus.

On Sunday, Minister for Forests, Endowments and Justice A. Indrakaran Reddy announced the closure of all zoological parks, wildlife sanctuaries and tiger reserves in the State amid a sudden surge in coronavirus cases.

The decision was taken following an advisory issued by the Ministry of Environment, Central Zoo Authority and Forests and Climate Change to prevent the spread of the deadly virus among wildlife.

As part of precautionary measures, thermal scanning of about 150 zoo employees, engaged in taking care of animals, was being done.

The authorities had been taking several preventive prophylactic measures since the outbreak of the pandemic in March last year.

The zoo had reopened in October last year after remaining close for nearly seven months due to the pandemic.

Spread over 300 acres, NZP is home to nearly 181 indigenous and exotic species, including 1,716 animals, birds, and reptiles. Known as one of the best zoos in Asia, it attracts around 30 lakh visitors annually.

Earlier in 2020, a tiger at the Bronx Zoo in the US had tested positive for coronavirus, making it the first known infection in an animal anywhere.

According to the US Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratories, the 4-year-old female Malayan tiger was believed to have contracted the infection from a zoo employee.