DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – The Dallas Zoo announced this week that five of its gorillas tested positive for COVID-19.
“The Dallas Zoo has had 5 asymptomatic western lowland gorillas test positive for COVID-19,” read a statement on the zoo’s social media pages. “As part of routine testing of our animals, preliminary results indicate that Shana, B’Wenzi, Marcus, Asha, and Shanta have all tested positive for the virus but are not showing any clinical signs of illness.”
The results are pending confirmation from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory. All other gorillas have so far tested negative, according to the zoo.
“Great apes and big cats are known to be at risk of COVID-19 infection, which is why the Dallas Zoo has regularly tested these animals throughout the pandemic and had instituted strict protocols to protect them against any potential exposure,” said Harrison Edell, Dallas Zoo’s Vice President of Animal Care & Conservation. “Treatment is not needed at this time, since the gorillas are not showing symptoms, but both troops will be closely monitored by our zoologists and veterinarians and will be tested every few days until they have cleared the virus.”
According to Edell, the infections occurred in an area of the Zoo where COVID-19 protocols are already the most rigorous. Zoologists are tested weekly before entering these areas for their shifts and use PPE.
“We will continue these protocols, along with increased testing for staff to ensure they remain protected as well,” Edell said.
While humans are known to be able to transmit the virus to animals such as gorillas, there is currently no data to suggest that zoo animals can transmit the virus to humans. Regardless, the Dallas Zoo said visitors do not pose a transmission threat to the gorillas, or vice versa, given the distance between the areas used by guests and the animals’ habitats.
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