The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Apr 5 that a tiger at the Bronx Zoo in New York City has tested positive for coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
The National Geographic reported that four-year-old Malayan Tiger, named Nadia developed a dry cough in late March and was tested for the virus on April 2.
Paul Calle, the zoo's chief veterinarian commented: "It's the first time, to our knowledge, that an [wild] animal has gotten sick from COVID-19 from a person".
Calle said that Nadia likely contracted the bug from an infected-yet unknown-asymptomatic zookeeper.
"It's the only thing that makes sense," she noted.
Bronx zoo closed its doors to visitors since March 16.
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Other animals are showing symptoms
Calle said that three African lions and two Siberian tigers also had coughs and a loss of appetite. They were not tested however yet.
The non-profit organization run by the Wildlife Conservation Society cautioned in a news release that it remains unknown how COVID-19 might progress in animals.
