The deadly virus has made Four lions at Barcelona Zoo to tested positive for the deadly Covid-19, veterinary authorities said on Tuesday, in only the second known case in which large felines have contracted coronavirus. Three females named Zala, Nima and Run Run and Kiumbe, a male, were tested for the virus soon after the keepers noticed a slight symptoms of coronavirus.

Two staff at the zoo also tested positive for coronavirus, the authorities said, after the outbreak was first detected last month. The zoo authorities are investigating how the lions became infected to the virus. Zoo Keepers carried out PCR tests on the lions in the same way as humans are tested as the animals are prone to contact with the zoo staff. The Veterinary Service of Barcelona communicated with the colleagues at the Bronx Zoo in New York, where four tigers and three lions tested positive for Covid-19 in April. It is the only other zoo where large felines are known to have contracted coronavirus. However, all infected were recovered.

“The lions were given veterinary care for their mild clinical condition - similar to a very mild flu condition - through anti-inflammatory treatment and close monitoring, and the animals responded well” the Barcelona zoo said in a statement. The male is 4 years old and the females, are all 16 years old, have had no contact with other animals at the zoo, which is open to visitors. 

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