SARS-Cov-2 has now claimed the life of a lioness and nine other lions have been found corona infected at Arignar Anna Zoological Park popularly known as Vandalur Zoo.
The lioness Neela died on Thursday at around 6.15 pm, Vandalur Zoo said in a statement. According to the zoo, Neela was having nasal discharge since Wednesday and was treated immediately.
On May 26, five lions at Animal House-1 in the Safari Park area reportedly reported a loss of appetite and occasional cough.
Soon the in-house veterinary team took necessary action and sent blood samples, nasal/rectal swabs, and stool samples to the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), and the National Institute of High-Security Diseases for testing.
As per the laboratory test results submitted by the institute, samples of nine of the 11 lions sent were found positive for SARS CoV-2.
According to the zoo, all the lions who have tested positive are under close surveillance by the in-house veterinary team in close coordination with Tanuvas' expert team and are on a prescribed treatment regimen.
All the cattle ranchers and helpers of these animal houses are vaccinated against COVID-19. A separate set of herders is employed for each group of lions.