New Delhi (NVI): Eight Asiatic Lions at the Nehru Zoological Park (NZP) in Hyderabad have tested positive for coronavirus, the first such case comes amid a surge of infection in India.
All the eight lions have been isolated and necessary treatment has been provided. They are responding well to the treatment and recovering, the statement said.
Preventive measures are already in place for all zoo staff and the zoo has been closed to visitors to avoid minimal external contact, it added.
“Based on experience with zoo animals elsewhere in the world that have experienced SARS-COV2 positive last year, there is no factual evidence that animals can transmit the disease to humans any further,” the Union Forest Ministry said.
Meanwhile, it urged media to exercise extreme caution while reporting and provide a responsible coverage for the same.
On April 24, on showing signs of respiratory distress, the Nehru Zoological Park (NZP), Hyderabad had shared samples of eight Asiatic lions (as collected from nose, throat and respiratory tract under anaesthesia) with CCMB-LaCONES.
Based on the detailed diagnostic tests and report by CCMB-LaCONES, it has been confirmed that eight Asiatic lions housed in Hyderabad zoo have tested positive for SARS-CoV2 virus.
