Two gorillas from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park tested positive for COVID-19, the zoo announced Monday. A third gorilla is symptomatic, but has not tested positive, and several others may also be infected, the zoo said.
The gorillas’ fecal matter was tested after two of them started coughing and exhibiting “other mild symptoms” on January 6, the zoo said in a press release. The tests were positive on January 8 and were confirmed by the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories on January 11.
Gorillas are believed to have been infected by an asymptomatic member of the team.
So far, zookeepers say the gorillas seem to be doing well. Although only two of the gorillas tested positive, the zoo said it must assume that they have all been exposed since living together. Lisa Peterson, the park’s executive director, told the Associated Press on Monday that eight gorillas are believed to have the virus.
“They are being watched closely and there is nothing to suggest today that they will not have a full recovery,” said the zoo. It is believed to be the first case of the coronavirus being transmitted to great apes.
The zoo said it cannot say with certainty whether the gorillas will develop any other symptoms, but noted that the gorillas showing the symptoms are being cared for by veterinarians and the rest of the gorillas are being “carefully watched”.
The zoo has been closed to the public since December 6, according to CBS affiliate KFMB-TV.
Animal populations were not affected by the coronavirus as much as humans, although a tiger at the Bronx Zoo in New York positive test last April. In November, Denmark slaughtered more than 15 million mink after an outbreak of a mutated version of the coronavirus. Some feared that if the new strain was passed on to humans, it could be resistant to vaccines that were under development at the time.