- New York, USA -
A 4-year-old Malayan tiger named Nadia, has tested positive for the new coronavirus.
Bronx Zoo officials announced it Sunday, April 5.
Federal officials believe this to be the first known infection in an animal in the US or a tiger anywhere.
Sadly, Nadia is not the only big cat who has fallen ill.
Her sister Azul, two Amur tigers, and three African lions had developed a dry cough.
The zoo said that the first animal started showing symptoms March 27.
It is believed that the cats have been infected by a zoo employee.
The zoo has been closed to the public since March 16.
Dr. Paul Calle, the zoo’s chief veterinarian said: “We tested the cat out of an abundance of caution” and aim to “contribute to the world’s continuing understanding of this novel coronavirus.”
Zoo officials say that all the big cats are expected to recover.