Two Sumatran Tigers in Indonesian Zoo Contract Covid-19

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Two Sumatran Tigers in a Jakarta zoo have tested positive for Covid-19 and the cause of the infection is currently under investigation, according to TribunJakarta.com on Sunday, August 1.

Tino, nine years old, and Hari, 12 years old, were infected with the coronavirus when the zoo was closed to visitors amid the Covid-19 surge. The Ragunan Zoo in South Jakarta has been closed since June 22 to avoid large crowds during the pandemic.

Suzi Marsitawati, head of Jakarta’s Parks and Forest Service, said that the two tigers had difficulty breathing, rhinorrhea, and appetite loss in mid-July. They then received treatment and were isolated following the Covid-19 test results.

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After receiving treatment for 10-12 days, they both were recovering and their appetite returned to normal.

Suzi further added that the two tigers would not transmit the virus to humans because there is no reported case of transmission of Covid-19 from animals to humans.

“When the animals developed symptoms, the Ragunan Zoo was already closed as it happened during the previous emergency Covid-19 measures,” Suzi said, adding that tracing was also done but no caretakers and staffers contracted the coronavirus.

“So we are still investigating the cause,” she added.

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Previously, the veterinarian who treated Tino and Hari Dr. Endah Rumiyati said that the two tigers might have been exposed to their caretakers who might have been exposed to Covid-19. However, none of the caretakers have been infected following the contact tracing for Covid-19.