SAN DIEGO — Eight gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park that had tested positive for COVID-19 are expected to recover.
It is believed that the gorillas contracted the virus from a zookeeper who had tested positive.
The gorillas came down with a cough days later, then the rest of the troop showed less energy, The Associated Press reported.
The zoo staff confirmed that the gorillas had the “California variant” that had been spreading fast, accounting for at least 14 cases in San Diego County and 446 infections across the state, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
Great news: Our gorilla troop is eating, drinking, interacting and on their way to a full recovery after the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans. Full update: https://t.co/jb9pKVirTq pic.twitter.com/TuVGmlNtjl
— San Diego Zoo Safari Park (@sdzsafaripark) January 25, 2021
The park’s veterinarians said the troop is eating, drinking and recovering.
“We’re not seeing any of that lethargy. No coughing, no runny noses anymore. It feels to us like we’ve turned the corner,” Park Director Lisa Peterson told The San Diego Union-Tribune.
One gorilla, a 49-year-old silverback named Winston, had pneumonia that they believe was brought on by COVID-19. He also has heart disease. The gorilla was given antibiotics, heart medication and an antibody treatment, CNN reported.
The zoo is planning on giving some of the great apes a COVID-19 vaccine that is from a supply that is not allowed to be used in humans, the Union-Tribune reported.
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Cox Media Group
