The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio announced the death of a tiger following COVID-19 complications.
Tiger dies after COVID-19 complications
Ohio’s Columbus Zoo and Aquarium took to Facebook to announce the death of Jupiter, a beloved 14-year-old Amur tiger. The tiger succumbed to complications from COVID-19. As per National Geographic, some animals, including big cats are susceptible to the virus. Jupiter was receiving long-term treatment for chronic underlying illnesses, According to the zoo, this made him more sensitive to coronavirus. As per the zoo, Jupiter is the first and only animal to die due to coronavirus at their facility.
On June 22, Jupiter started feeling ill. “He was not interested in eating and was reluctant to stand, move or interact with keepers. When this continued into the next day, Jupiter was anesthetized for examination and treatment.,” revealed the authorities. The initial diagnosis revealed an infection and the staff began treatment quickly. Unfortunately, Jupiter did not show signs of improvement. On the next day, he appeared stable after receiving more treatment. However, he passed away overnight.
More on infections among animals
As a precautionary move, the zoo requires staff working with great apes, cats, and mustelids to stay masked when they are less than six feet from them. The total number of animals that died following COVID-19 infections is unknown. However, there have been several reports from other zoos throughout the pandemic. Three snow leopards at a Nebraska zoo died following COVID-19 complications. Similarly, an African lion at a Hawaiian zoo died from the virus.
“Jupiter’s care team remembers him as a big and impressive tiger who loved fish, sleeping in the habitat’s cave, playing with cardboard boxes, and interacting with another favorite item—a 75-pound firehouse ‘plus sign’ that was heavy for keepers to move but something he carried around like it weighed nothing. Jupiter will be greatly missed,” wrote the Columbus Zoo on their Facebook post.
