A 9-year-outdated lioness, named Neela, at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Chennai’s Vandalur is suspected to have died of COVID-19 an infection. Eight other lions have also tested COVID optimistic at the Zoo.

“The lioness housed at the safari spot of the zoological park died on Thursday evening at 6.15 pm. The deceased lioness had been asymptomatic and showed some nasal discharge only the day right before and experienced been symptomatically addressed immediately,” reads the statement issued by the Zoo.

The lioness is stated to have been asymptotic and showed some nasal discharge only the day right before her death. The Vandalur zoo has been shut considering that the lockdown started in the point out.

The pleasure have been quickly attended to by the veterinary team in the zoo. In addition to this, a staff of industry experts was also deputed by Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) to aid the veterinarians in the zoo to investigate the affliction of the lions.

“On our request, a team of gurus was also deputed by TANUVAS to be part of the veterinarians of the zoo in investigating and selecting the additional study course of the remedy routine,” mentioned the zoo authorities. 

The blood samples, nasal swab, rectal swab and faecal samples of 11 lions have been despatched to the Countrywide Institute of Superior-Security Illnesses (NIHSAD) in Madhya Pradesh. Of the 11 samples, nine samples have appear again constructive.

“Blood samples ended up despatched to TANUVAS and nasal swab, rectal