A four-year-old tiger at the Bronx Zoo in New York City has tested positive for the coronavirus.
In a report from National Geographic, the zoo’s chief veterinarian Paul Calle said it is the first time that an animal has contracted the virus from a human.
He added that the Malayan tiger named Nadia may have caught the virus from an asymptomatic zookeeper.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that six other cats are showing symptoms consistent with the illness.
Calle said Nadia along with two siberian tigers and three African lions had coughs and a loss of appetite.
A news release from the Wildlife Conservation Society assured that all cats are doing well under veterinary care. However, they mentioned that it is still not known how the disease will develop in big cats such as Nadia.
“Different species can react differently to novel infections, but we will continue to monitor them closely and anticipate full recoveries,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) said there was no evidence that animals such as dogs or cats could be infected with the disease.
