Tiger in Minnesota Tests Positive for COVID-19
January 26, 2021
(courtesy: The Wildcat Sanctuary via Fox 9)
PINE COUNTY, Minn. – A tiger at the Wildcat Sanctuary in Pine County has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health
According to reports from the sanctuary veterinarian, the tiger, a 21-year-old female Sumatran/Bengal tiger, has already recovered from the virus.
Sanctuary staff says they first noticed symptoms in lions, tigers, and cougars in early January.
According to a recent press release, the veterinarian consulted state animal health officials about testing for SARS-CoV-2 at a private lab before results were officially confirmed by the USDA.
Minnesota tiger tests positive for coronavirus
Animal has recovered.
Posted By: Mike Bunge
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Board of Animal Health says a tiger in the state has tested positive for COVID-19.
The 21-year-old tiger at The Wildcat Sanctuary in Pine County has recovered from the virus.
“This marks only the second confirmed captive or domestic animal case of SARS-CoV-2 in the state,” says State Veterinarian, Dr. Beth Thompson. “It’s a good reminder that the virus can be transmitted from people to animals. We appreciate the veterinarians in the state who contact our office to discuss testing and surveillance of exposed and symptomatic animals so we can investigate with our state and federal partners.”
Tiger tests positive for COVID-19 at The Wildcat Sanctuary in Minnesota
The infected tiger is a 21-year-old called Sabrina.
Author:
A tiger has tested positive for COVID-19 at The Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone, Minnesota.
The tiger, a 21-year-old Sumatran/Bengal tiger called Sabrina, tested positive for the virus, received care and has subsequently recovered from what was initially thought to be a respiratory infection.
She becomes only the second captive or domestic animal in Minnesota to test positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, following a housecat last June. It’s a good reminder that the virus can be transmitted from people to animals. We appreciate the veterinarians in the state who contact our office to discuss testing and surveillance of exposed and symptomatic animals so we can investigate with our state and federal partners, said Minnesota State Veterinarian Dr. Beth Thompson.