A MAJESTIC lioness has died of Covid-19 at an Indian zoo, where by eight other large cats have also examined positive for the killer virus.

9-12 months-outdated lioness Neela died at Vandalur Zoo, also recognised as the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, near the metropolis of Chennai in the Indian point out of Tamil Nadu.

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Neela experienced been mostly asymptomatic, in accordance to a statement from the zoo.

She had demonstrated some “nasal discharge” the working day prior to, and was addressed straight away after this.

Samples from 11 lions had been despatched for assessment at the end of Could, following 5 of the large cats living in the zoo’s Animal Household 1 confirmed symptoms of appetite decline and signs of Covid-19, this kind of as coughing.

A zoo assertion examine: “As for every the laboratory test effects furnished by the Institute, samples in respect of nine lions of the 11 sent have analyzed constructive for SARS COV-2”.

Nasal and rectal swabs, along with faecal samples from the nine lions have been sent for even further tests.

Neela died on June 3, even though these samples ended up getting processed.

Experiences of animals becoming infected with Covid-19 have