Representative image of lions in the Chennai zoo. Photo: Kumar S/Flickr CC BY NC ND 2.0
Chennai: Two lionesses of the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Tamil Nadu have tested positive for COVID-19, while a lion was found to have contracted distemper virus, the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) here said Thursday.
Seven samples had been sent to the city-based institute from the zoo for testing.
“Of the samples of seven animals (four tigers and three lions) from the Tamil Nadu zoo, one lioness tested positive for SARS CoV-2 and distemper virus, one lioness for SARS CoV-2, and one lion tested positive for distemper virus,” IVRI Joint Director K P Singh said.
All four tigers have tested negative for both the viruses, he said.
A report is being sent to the zoo authorities in Tamil Nadu, Singh added.