Hyderabad: At a point when COVID-19 cases increase due to the second wave, a rare, first species of its kind is reported from the Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad.
Eight Asian lions tested positive for COVID-19, reports said. This appears to be the first time in the country where animals fall prey to the virus disease.
The lions, which lie in the 380-hectare zoo, are said to be recovering. The RT-PCR test of the lions was recorded after showing signs of COVID 19.
According to the report of Times of India, the Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) told the Nehru Zoological Park (NZP) on April 29 that the RT-PCR tests of these lions turned out positive for COVID-19 virus.
The curator and director of the NZP, dr. Siddhanand Kukrety, did not formally confirm the news.
‘It’s true that the lions showed COVID-19 symptoms, but I have not yet received the RT-PCR reports from the CCMB and therefore it would not be proper to comment. The lions are doing well, ”said dr. Kukrety said.
Dr Shirish Upadhye, director of the city’s Game and Research and Training Center (WRTC), said: “To Bronx Zoo in New York, where eight tigers and lions tested positive for COVID in April last year there had never been such cases in wild animals. In Hong Kong, however, the virus has been found in dogs and cats. ”
On April 24, veterinarians working in the park noticed a lack of appetite, nose and cough in the lions and advised them to take samples, the report said.
Officers took samples from the lions and sent for testing. They later turn out to be positive. Four men and women tested positive for COVID-19 virus.
It has been reported that CCMB scientists will now sequence the genome to determine if the strain is from animals or humans.
NZP was closed to the public two days ago because 25 park staff tested positive COVID-19 virus.
Source: The Siasat Daily