Snow leopard at the San Diego Zoo has tested positive for coronavirus

A male snow leopard at the San Diego Zoo has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Last Thursday, Wildlife care specialists noticed that the snow leopard had a cough and nasal discharge, the San Diego Zoo said.

According to the San Diego Zoo, fecal samples collected from the snow leopard and tested at the Zoo confirmed the presence of SARS-CoV-2. The results were sent to the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS) for further testing, and those results also were positive.

All positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 are required to be sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL), where the results are still pending, the zoo said.

The wildlife care specialists said that the male snow leopard appears to be doing well, and is showing no additional symptoms other than the cough and runny nose.

These Amur leopards and snow leopards are under quarantined, the zoo has closed their habitat to visitors until further notice, the Zoo said.

It is not yet known how the male snow leopard acquired the infection, the Zoo said.

Snow leopards are rare and vulnerable animal found in 12 countries—including China, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, and Mongolia—but their population is dropping. According to World Wildlife Fund, It’s total estimated population is 4,080-6,590.

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