Lions get it again.
4 lions at a zoo in Barcelona, Spain, have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
The positive tests for the animals at the Barcelona Zoo are the second known case where lions have contracted the deadly disease.
3 females, who have been identified as Zala, Nima and Run Run, and a male named Kiumbe, were the animals that got the virus.
The zookeepers noticed that the animals were showing mild symptoms of the condition, so they ordered a test.
2 staff members at the zoo have also tested positive for the coronavirus.
Officials are currently investigating how the lions got the deadly virus.
Zookeepers carried out tests on the lions in the same way as humans got tested.
The animals are accustomed to close contact with staff at the facility, and they were having the symptoms, said the authorities.
The Barcelona Zoo released a statement about the coronavirus.
The statement reads:
The zoo has contacted and collaborated with international experts such as the Veterinary Service of the Bronx Zoo, the only one that has documented cases of Sars-CoV-2 infection in felines. The lions were given veterinary care for their mild clinical condition – similar to a very mild flu condition – through anti-inflammatory treatment and close monitoring, and the animals responded well.
The 4-year-old male and females are all 16 years old.
The animals did not have any contact with other animals in the zoo.
The Barcelona Zoo is still open for visitors.
The Veterinary Service of Barcelona contacted its colleagues at the Bronx Zoo in New York City.
4 tigers and 3 lions tested positive for the coronavirus at the zoo in April this year.
This is the only other zoo where large cats are known to have contracted the virus.
So far, no animal has passed away from the deadly disease.