INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Zoo’s three African lions tested positive for the Delta variant of COVID on Oct. 14, the Zoo said Thursday.
The lions were tested when the two females presented with respiratory and digestive symptoms, while the male lion has been without symptoms. At the first signs of illness, the lions were taken off exhibit and started on treatment.
The two young lions are doing well, the Zoo said, but the older female continues to be treated for respiratory symptoms.
The Zoo is unsure how the lions became infected. All Zoo staff are vaccinated and no staff working in proximity with the cats were sick or showed signs of the virus. Staff working directly with the lions follow detailed safety protocols including wearing masks, gloves, and following strict hygiene practices. Those staff members have all been tested for COVID and are negative.
Zoo veterinarians have given the first shot of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine to dozens of the most susceptible animals including lions, tigers, cheetahs, and apes — some have received the second dose. The Zoo said the lions received their dose over two weeks ago, which likely helped mitigate the severity of their symptoms.
The Zoo used the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine created for US veterinary pharmaceutical company, Zoetis. Zoetis donated the shots. So far, none of the animals have had an adverse reaction to the vaccine.
