Two Gorillas Test Positive for Coronavirus at San Diego Zoo

At least two gorillas tested positive for the coronavirus at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the facility confirmed on Monday.

Fox News reported that it is believed that the gorillas contracted the virus after coming in contact with an asymptomatic wildlife care team member.

Lisa Peterson, the park's director, told the Associated Press on Monday that eight gorillas living together are believed to have been infected with the coronavirus, and several of them had already been observed coughing.

There are no other known cases that said gorillas tested positive for the virus. Thus, this case was believed to be the first known transmission among great apes and primates in the U.S. and possibly the world.

The staff members wore masks at all times around the gorillas, and the park has been closed to the public since December 6 due to California's lockdown efforts.

Gorillas Tested Positive for Virus to Remain in Park Habitat

Peterson said when they first noticed the gorillas coughing on Wednesday, they decided to get fecal samples for testing, reported New York Post.

The California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System analyzed the samples, which came back positive for the coronavirus, a news release from the zoo stated.

The results confirmed the virus' presence and were then concurred by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Veterinary Services Laboratories. Veterinarians will be closely monitoring the animals as they stay in their park habitats in north San Diego.

Peterson said the gorillas seem to be "doing well" apart from experiencing congestion and coughing. No specific treatment for the virus has been provided to them yet, but they are given fluids, food, and vitamins for now.

It's unknown whether the gorillas were male or female and information relating to their age is unavailable. Other animals known to have contracted the coronavirus were minks and tigers.

Coronavirus Threatens Endangered Gorillas

Wildlife experts are concerned about the gorillas that tested positive for the coronavirus as they come from an endangered species that share almost all of its DNA with humans.

Over the last two decades, western lowland gorillas' population has declined 60 percent because of poaching and disease, data from the World Wildlife Fund stated. The gorillas in the San Diego zoo were of this species.

Zoo officials have also talked to experts who treat the coronavirus in humans to help them in case the animals start experiencing more severe coronavirus symptoms.

Samples from the other gorillas living with the two who tested positive were also taken for testing. Since separating these tightly-knit and social animal groups could be harmful, the zoo decided not to separate them.

"This is wildlife, and they have their own resiliency and can heal differently than we do," Peterson said.

The park also added other safety measures for its staff. They were required to wear face shields and eye goggles when coming in contact with animals.

However, a more alarming thought for the park officials is the animals' situation in their native habitats, where they may come in contact with humans and human materials. San Diego Zoo Safari Park said it would continue to share its findings with health officials, conservationists, and scientists.