The Central Zoo Authority on Monday asked all zoos across the country to remain on high alert and collect samples fortnightly in suspected cases after a tiger in a US zoo tested positive for coronavirus. In a letter to all states and Union territories, CZA Member Secretary SP Yadav said, "The United States Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratories has confirmed COVID-19 in a tiger in the Bronx Zoo, New York. "Zoos in the country are, therefore, advised to remain on highest alertness, watch animals on 24X7 basis using CCTVs for any abnormal behaviour or symptoms," it said.
The authority said mammals, especially cats, ferret and primates, need to be carefully monitored and fortnightly samples of suspected cases be sent to designated animal health institutes for COVID-19 testing. The Alipore Zoo in Kolkata has decided to enhance regular checking of big cats and strict implementation of safety norms after a tiger tested positive for COVID-19 at a zoological garden in New York, an official said on Monday. A four-year-old Malayan tiger named Nadia has tested positive for COVID-19 at New York's Bronx Zoo, authorities said on Sunday. The tiger is believed to have contracted the virus from a caretaker who was asymptomatic at the time.