[PHOTOS] Gorilla in Miami Zoo Gets Coronavirus Nasal Swab Test

Earlier in the pandemic, scientists have warned that coronavirus might be catastrophic to great apes as they too might get infected. Due to this, experts call out to countries worldwide with wild ape populations to suspend ape tourism and research.

(Photo : Reuters Connect)
A paramedic at a glass booth, wearing protective gloves holds a nose-swab sample to be tested for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

As recommended by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), no humans shall come within 33 feet (10 meters) to the great apes in the wild. This is strongly implemented primarily to people who have been sick or those who have been in close contact with sick people in the previous seven days.

Experts advised everyone to adhere to IUCN's book recommendations, including disinfecting oneself before going near the animals and wearing face masks, especially when visiting the animals and coming close to them within 10 meters.

Recently, a Miami zoo gorilla has received a nasal swab test for coronavirus while being treated of his wound that he got from a brawl with his brother.

Shango, the Miami Zoo Gorilla, Receives Nasal Swab Test for Coronavirus

On Sunday, Ron Magill shared on his Twitter photos of Shango, a 31-year-old 433 lb lowland gorilla who lives at the Miami Zoo. He experienced wounds from a brawl with his brother, Barney, so he had to be immobilized for doctors to treat him.

Shango was bitten and scratched up, so the doctors thought of doing a nasal swab test to be safe, TMZ reports.

Shango, our 433 lb. lowland gorilla is immobilized for treatment of some wounds he experienced in a confrontation with his brother. In an abundance of caution, he also received tests for COVID-19. Thankfully - NEGATIVE! pic.twitter.com/uLGzNE4Zm2 — Ron Magill (@RonMagill) July 12, 2020

The pictures that Magill posted showed a team of veterinarians attending to his wounds as he got a deep gash on his hand after being bitten by his sibling. His nasal swab test came out negative, according to the zoo staff who attended to him.

This shows that animals, too, can be infected by the coronavirus, a subject that zoos have to face seeing how primates are closely related to humans, which means they are susceptible too.

As seen by the Twitter post of Magill, Shango is massive as he takes up the whole table and utterly majestic at the same time.

COVID-19 and Animals

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some coronaviruses that infect animals can be transmitted to humans and then spread between people, just like what happened to COVID-19, with the virus likely originating from bats.

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets through coughing, sneezing, and talking. According to the limited data available today, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is still considered to be low. But more studies are needed to understand if and how animals could be affected by COVID-19.

Furthermore, cats, dogs, ad a few other animals can be infected with SARS-CoV-2, but it is still uncertain whether all animals can be infected. But there have been reports that some animals were infected with COVID-19.

In the United States, a small number of cats and dogs have been reported to be infected; most of them became sick after contact with COVID-19 patients. Then at a zoo in New York, several lions and tigers tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 after showing signs of respiratory illness; they have now fully recovered.

Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 was recently discovered in minks on multiple farms in the Netherlands. Like the lions and tigers, the minks have also shown respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms due to the virus.

Currently, officials from the CDC, USDA, and state public health and animal health conduct active surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in pets that had contact with a person with COVID-19.