Covid-19: Indian Zoos Asked To Remain On High Alert, Collect Samples For Testing As Bronx Zoo Tiger Tests Positive

After a tiger in Bronx Zoo in US tested positive for coronavirus, the central zoo authority in India on Monday (6 April) asked all zoos across the country to remain on high alert and collect samples fortnightly in suspected cases, reports Economic Times.

In a letter to all states and Union territories, CZA Member Secretary SP Yadav said, "The United States Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratories has confirmed COVID-19 in a tiger in the Bronx Zoo, New York.

"Zoos in the country are, therefore, advised to remain on highest alertness, watch animals on 24X7 basis using CCTVs for any abnormal behaviour or symptoms.”

The letter further states that mammals, especially cats, ferrets and primates, need to be carefully monitored and fortnightly samples of suspected cases be sent to designated animal health institutes for COVID-19 testing, such as National Institute of High-Security Animal Disease in Bhopal, the National Research Centre on Equines in Haryana's Hisar and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh.