CA Zoo Vaccinates Tigers, Bears And Ferrets Against Coronavirus

OAKLAND, CA — The Oakland Zoo began vaccinating tigers, black bears, grizzly bears, mountain lions and ferrets against the coronavirus last week. The move to inoculate animals comes after cases of the deadly virus were confirmed among gorillas at the San Diego Safari Park earlier this year.

Zoetis, a New Jersey-based veterinary pharmaceutical company, donated more than 11,000 doses of its experimental coronavirus vaccine to protect the health of 100 different species that are most vulnerable to the coronavirus.

At least 75 percent of emerging infectious diseases, including COVID-19, have an animal origin, according to the World Health Organization.

Animals at the Bay Area zoo received two doses of the vaccine last week, including tigers Ginger and Molly, who were the first to get their shots, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Next in line are primates and pigs.

None of the zoo's animals have become sick with the virus, but the zoo wanted to be proactive, according to Alex Herman, vice president of veterinary services at the Oakland Zoo.

"We're happy and relieved to now be able to better protect our animals with this vaccine," Herman said in a statement.

Before Zoetis stepped in to help inoculate animals at the zoo, the facility had been using public barriers to ensure social distancing. Staff at the zoo also wore facemasks and bulked up on protective wear to protect susceptible species.

"Zoetis has a long history of supporting zoo veterinarians and the animals in their care," Dr. Mike McFarland, Chief Medical Officer at Zoetis said in a statement. "We are proud that our innovative research and development work and vaccine donations can help veterinary professionals within the zoo community continue to provide a high standard of care to the primates, big cats, and many other species they care for and reduce the risk of COVID-19."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.