Eight Asiatic lions at the Nehru Zoological Park in India have tested positive for the coronavirus, the government said on Tuesday. The animals were tested after they showed signs of respiratory distress.
The zoo said the lions are recovering well in a statement: “The eight lions have been isolated, and due care and necessary treatment have been provided. All the eight lions have responded well to the treatment and are recovering. They are behaving normally and eating well.”
The Nehru Zoological Park, also known as Hyderabad Zoo, has been closed for visitors.
In December, four lions testes positive for COVID-19 in Spain, and when the pandemic started, seven lions tested positive at the Bronx Zoo in New York.
The positive test results of the lions at Hyderabad Zoo came during a huge rise in coronavirus infections among humans in India. India has reported more than 300,000 daily COVID-19 infections for 13 straight days.
The Animal Reader is an animal news website. Become a Friend of The Animal Reader and support animal journalism.