Lions contract COVID-19 from handlers in South African zoo – Report

A South African zoo is reporting that lions and pumas may have contracted COVID-19 from their handlers.

This is according to a study by researchers at the University of Pretoria who are warning of risk of new variants if the virus “establishes itself in other animal reservoirs” and is retransmitted to humans.

The study was done after the animals fell ill with symptoms that were similar to coronavirus in human beings – including breathing difficulties, runny noses and a dry cough.

Covid tests on the animals turned out positive, the research noted, with data suggesting that they contracted the virus from staff handling them, the BBC Africa page reported.

South Africa is currently Africa’s most impacted relative to COVID-19 caseload.