LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A snow leopard at the Louisville Zoo has tested positive for the coronavirus.
NeeCee, 5, is one of three snow leopards at the zoo. The other two males, Kimti and Meru, are waiting for test results, WWBT reported.
All three showed mild symptoms including a dry cough about two weeks ago. They are expected to recover.
“Fortunately, based on clinical cases in large cats at other zoos in the country to this point, SARS-CoV-2 infection does not appear to be life-threatening,” senior staff veterinarian Dr. Zoli Gyimesi said. “We will be closely monitoring the snow leopards for ongoing symptoms and resampling them to identify when they have cleared the infection.”
An update from Louisville Zoo Director John Walczak about the Louisville Zoo's snow leopards Meru, Kimti and Neecee. More information at https://t.co/ywVzP9H0VI pic.twitter.com/3tzAND7NEp
— Louisville Zoo (@LouisvilleZoo) December 11, 2020
They big cats are not on exhibit while they recover.
Officials believe the snow leopards were exposed to the virus by an asymptomatic employee, WLKY reported. There is no believed transmission from animal to person.
No other animals are showing symptoms. It is the first case in a snow leopard, zoo officials said.
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