COVID ain’t sparing nobody, not even caged animals. On Friday, the San Diego Wildlife Alliance announced snow leopard has tested positive for COVID.
Ramil, a male snow leopard, had a cough and nasal discharge. Wildlife care specialists were concerned and decided to test the leopard.
Tamil will remain a suspected positive case until specialists receive his confirmed multiple positive tests from the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories.
“The male snow leopard appears to be doing well, and is showing no additional symptoms other than the cough and runny nose,” the SDWA said.
It’s unknown how the leopard got the virus, NBC San Diego reported.
The zoo has biosecurity protocols that were put in place when the pandemic came along. As for now, unvaccinated employees are required to mask and practice public safety protocols at all times. Unvaccinated visitors are asked to do the same.
Ramil hasn’t been vaccinated. However, the zoo has received donations of animal-specific COVID-19 vaccines. It is working to administer doses to its most at-risk wildlife, including leopards, lions, tigers, cheetahs, jaguars, mountain lions, and others, SDWA said.
“San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance provides the best possible care for the wildlife at its two parks and its conservation projects around the world. As part of this effort, preventive medicine is practiced to protect wildlife, including rare and endangered species, against diseases that may harm them,” the SDWA said.
Executive Director Dwight Scott says the zoo and Safari Park visitors shouldn’t feel at risk from the animals they encounter.
