Thirteen gorillas test positive for Covid at Atlanta zoo
Richard Luscombe | September 11, 2021
More than a dozen gorillas have tested positive for Covid-19 at Zoo Atlanta, probably after contracting the virus from a keeper, zoo officials said.
a close up of an animal: Photograph: Erik S Lesser/EPA© Provided by The Guardian Photograph: Erik S Lesser/EPA
Staff were alerted when several of the zoo’s troop of 20 western lowland gorillas began exhibiting symptoms, including runny noses, mild coughing and loss of appetite.
Fecal samples and swabs sent to the University of Georgia’s veterinary diagnostic laboratory showed that 13 of the great apes were positive for coronavirus, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
In a statement posted to the zoo’s website, officials said they believed a vaccinated member of its animal care team, who was wearing personal protective equipment and asymptomatic when she came to work, probably transmitted the virus.
a close up of an animal: A male western lowland gorilla inside its enclosure at Zoo Atlanta last year.© Photograph: Erik S Lesser/EPA A male western lowland gorilla inside its enclosure at Zoo Atlanta last year.
“The teams are very closely monitoring the affected gorillas and are hopeful they will make a complete recovery,” Sam Rivera, Zoo Atlanta’s senior director of animal health, said.
Further tests sent to the national veterinary services laboratory in Ames, Iowa, for confirmation, were pending, the statement added. Some of the gorillas are receiving monoclonal antibodies, and staff are paying close attention to Ozzie, a 60-year-old male thought to be most at risk of Covid complications.
Zoo Atlanta’s gorillas live in close proximity to each other in four groups, making it impossible to isolate them individually. As they recover, they will receive the Zoetis coronavirus vaccine developed for veterinary use, the statement said.
Other animals at Zoo Atlanta that will receive the vaccine in the coming days will include Bornean and Sumatran orangutans, Sumatran tigers, African lions, and a clouded leopard.
In February, San Diego Zoo announced that all eight of its lowland gorillas who had contracted Covid-19 a few weeks earlier, including Winston, a 49-year-old male, had made a full recovery.
The California zoo also reported in July that its two endangered snow leopards had coronavirus, but were responding well to treatment.
Poster Comment:
It is now abundantly clear Covid 19 affects other species.
#1: Anthem To: BTP Holdings (#0)
Anthem posted on 2021-09-11 18:38:17 Reply Private Reply
#2: Dakmar To: Anthem (#1)
I'm ready to go A-Team on these fuckers.
Dakmar posted on 2021-09-11 18:40:56 Reply Private Reply
#3: Esso To: Dakmar (#2)
High-tech for its time.
Esso posted on 2021-09-11 18:52:01 Reply Private Reply
#4: Dakmar To: Esso (#3)
In a Democracy you have to be a player!
Dakmar posted on 2021-09-11 18:56:38 Reply Private Reply
#5: Esso To: Dakmar (#4)
Esso posted on 2021-09-11 19:07:10 Reply Private Reply
#6: Dakmar To: Esso (#5)
Dakmar posted on 2021-09-11 19:16:33 Reply Private Reply
#7: Esso To: Dakmar (#6)
I like my women the same way I like my clothes. Black & blue.
Esso posted on 2021-09-11 19:21:33 Reply Private Reply
#8: IRTorqued To: BTP Holdings (#0)
hardly rerun, at best it proves the press etal will make up anything to perpetuate the fear porn.
IRTorqued posted on 2021-09-11 19:22:01 Reply Private Reply
#9: Esso To: IRTorqued, BTP Holdings, Horse, 4um (#8)
Why are you so mad at BTP and Horse? Only makin' yourself look bad, Pal.
Esso posted on 2021-09-11 19:29:58 Reply Private Reply
#10: Dakmar To: Esso (#9)
Dakmar posted on 2021-09-11 19:51:55 Reply Private Reply
#11: BTP Holdings To: Anthem (#1)
The Gorillas are in the zoo. They live outside in as close as possible to a natural environment.
Apparently, one of their handlers had tested positive for Covid 19. It seems to have affected the Gorillas with runny nose and other symptoms found in humans. ;)
BTP Holdings posted on 2021-09-11 20:26:14 Reply Private Reply
#12: Esso To: Dakmar (#10)
No, is it related to the quiet churchmouse?
Hey, I'm brain damaged, and trying my best to keep the tradition alive.
I think Bidet gave me Alzheimer's.
Esso posted on 2021-09-11 20:30:38 Reply Private Reply
#13: Dakmar To: Esso (#12)
Don't hate me because I'm an idiot! :)
Dakmar posted on 2021-09-11 20:45:04 Reply Private Reply
#14: Dakmar To: Esso (#12)
Dakmar posted on 2021-09-11 20:49:51 Reply Private Reply
#15: Esso To: Dakmar (#14)
Hell, last thing I remember was some creepy guy in a suit and tie touching me on the neck with rubber gloves on at Purdue in 1979. Next thing I remember it was 1995 and I was having all kinds of weird dreams when I sleep, which is fleeting, at best.
I made you dinner, slaved away, and you're not here again. I hope you're not leaving me for one of those "non-binary" bitches.
Esso posted on 2021-09-11 21:14:52 Reply Private Reply
#16: Dakmar To: Esso (#15)
Fuck it, I see now I'll have to kill all of you
Dakmar posted on 2021-09-11 21:20:16 Reply Private Reply