The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has announced the death of its 14-year-old Amur tiger.
Jupiter died Sunday at the zoo after he developed pneumonia caused by COVID-19, zoo officials said on social media.
We're sad to share that 14-year-old Amur tiger, Jupiter, passed away on June 26 after developing pneumonia caused by the COVID-19 virus. Jupiter had been on long term treatment for chronic underlying illnesses, which made him more susceptible to the virus. https://t.co/LlwOb2yeyo pic.twitter.com/pTEmNUsm9p
— Columbus Zoo (@ColumbusZoo) June 29, 2022
Jupiter was on long-term treatment for chronic illnesses that made him vulnerable to COVID-19.
Zoo staff said he had been “acting ill” and was not interested in food or interacting with zookeepers, CNN reported.
Zoo staff believed that Jupiter had an infection but didn’t improve with treatment.
After more testing and treatment, he appeared to be stable but died Sunday.
Jupiter is the first animal at the zoo to die from the coronavirus, officials said.
Workers will have to wear masks when working within 6 feet of the cats, great apes and mustelids as they are more susceptible to contracting the illness, NBC News reported.
An 11-year-old snow leopard at Miller Park Zoo in Illinois also died after contracting COVID-19 and developing pneumonia, CNN reported.
The total number of animals who have died due to COVID-19 is not known but there have been several reports of animals contracting the virus, USA Today reported.
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