Great Plains Zoo’s big cats quarantined with COVID-19

If you’re heading to the Great Plains Zoo, you won’t be seeing the big cats for a bit.

An Amur tiger tested positive for COVID-19 after zookeepers observed coughing and lethargy.

Since Keesa’s positive test, several other big cats, including two Amur tigers and two snow leopards, have exhibited symptoms, the zoo said in a statement. They’re being monitored while awaiting test results, and all the sick cats are being given supportive therapies.

“While transmission from cats to humans has not been shown to occur, all big cats have been removed from public exhibit spaces for ongoing treatment and observation,” the zoo said.

“Once the cats have recovered from the infection, access will again be allowed to their public enclosures. The source of Keesa’s infection is not known. However, personnel do wear personal protective equipment at all times when working in COVID-19-susceptible animal areas, the zoo said.

“It’s unfortunate that, in spite of the precautions taken, we are seeing this disease in several of our large cats. The speed with which it has moved between these tigers and leopards really speaks to the insidious nature of this virus. Usually, these species seem to recover well with supportive therapy, and our animal care team is working hard to make sure that our cats follow that trend,” said Louden Wright, the zoo’s veterinarian.

A SARS-COV-2 vaccine made by Zoetis was recently approved by the USDA. Once that vaccine is received, susceptible animals at the zoo will be vaccinated to help prevent subsequent disease outbreaks.