Tigers At Virginia Zoo Test Positive For Coronavirus

NORFOLK, VA — Two tigers have tested positive for the coronavirus at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk, while a third tiger is showing mild respiratory symptoms, according to zoo officials.

Zoo employees first observed mild respiratory symptoms, including a dry cough and wheezing, in two tigers last week, which were consistent with previous cases of the coronavirus in big cats diagnosed with the disease at other zoos across the country.

Non-invasive testing was performed, which does not require the tigers to be placed under anesthesia, the Virginia Zoo said. Results from nasal swabs and the collection of fecal samples tested positive for the coronavirus.

A third tiger at the zoo, named Christopher, has since developed mild respiratory symptoms and samples from him are being submitted for diagnostics, the zoo said.

Like Christopher, the two tigers who tested positive, named Stubbley and Osceloa, are Malayan tigers.

The Virginia Zoo has removed the three tigers from public viewing. The zoo said it does not know how the tigers contracted the virus.

The zoo said it stays updated on all developments related to COVID-19 in both wild and domestic animals and follows the recommended biosecurity protocols outlined by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, which require personal protective equipment to be worn at all times around susceptible species such as tigers.

None of the other big cats at the Virginia Zoo are currently showing any symptoms of the disease. Zoos across the United States with reported COVID-19 cases in their animals have confirmed the complete recovery of the animals, according to the Virginia Zoo.

The Virginia Zoo said it is expecting the complete recovery of Stubbley and Osceola. “Their symptoms appear to be improving thanks to the quick actions and decisions of animal care staff to initiate testing and wonderful care at the onset of their symptoms,” the zoo said.

Early in the pandemic, the Bronx Zoo reported that a four-year-old female Malayan tiger tested positive for COVID-19. Three other tigers and three African lions at the zoo also tested positive for the disease. Each of the animals recovered from the disease.

Two lions at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium tested positive for the coronavirus, zoo officials said Thursday. Both female lions were coughing and had occasional diarrhea, according to the zoo, “but were otherwise normal," the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.