San Diego City Wire

San Diego Zoo announced on Jan. 11 that two of their gorillas tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the precursor to COVID-19. 

On Jan. 6, the gorillas began to cough and the Zoo Global initiative began to test their feces for the virus through the help of the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System. 

The tests showed that the virus was present and at a later date the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed those test results. 

While the SARS-CoV-2 positive test does precede COVID-19, it is yet to be determined if the virus has spread to other gorillas in the troop. 

“Aside from some congestion and coughing, the gorillas are doing well,” said Lisa Peterson, executive director of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. “The troop remains quarantined together and are eating and drinking. We are hopeful for a full recovery.”

COVID-19, which was previously discovered to be able to be spread across species, was likely passed on to the gorillas by an asymptomatic staff member. The staff has taken extreme precautions to prevent spreading the virus to the gorillas, such as using PPE when near the gorillas. It is yet to be seen if the apes will have a serious reaction to the virus or not. 

Since March 2020, the San Diego Global scientists has collaborated with epidemiologists to help develop practices for protecting wildlife around the world in organizations such as the USDA. 

The Safari Park at San Diego Zoo has been closed to the general public since the first week of December. 

San Diego Zoo Global is well known for their efforts to protect and conserve wildlife — both plants and animals — and is at the forefront of distributing the latest work to the general public. Their work is made available to over 1 billion people each year.