Two hyenas at the Denver Zoo earlier this month were confirmed to have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
An agency-issued news release said the hyenas were the first in the world to be infected with the coronavirus.
“Samples from a variety of species at the zoo, including the hyenas, were collected and tested after lions at the facility showed signs of illness,” the news release said. “In addition to the two hyenas, 11 lions and two tigers at the zoo also tested positive for the virus.”
According to zoo staff, the hyenas are expected to make a full recovery since the symptoms they experienced – slight lethargy, nasal drainage and coughing – were mild.
“Hyenas are famously tough, resilient animals that are known to be highly tolerant to anthrax, rabies and distemper,” a statement from the zoo obtained by the New York Post said. “They are otherwise healthy and expected to make a full recovery.”
The hyenas were the latest animals at the Denver Zoo to contract the disease after several other creatures were infected, according to CNN, Wyoming News Now reported.
More than 3,000 animals and more than 450 different species reside at the zoo, which attracts 2.2 million visitors annually.
The USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories, which confirmed the dual infections in the hyenas, has the responsibility to report the diagnoses since the World Organization for Animal Health classifies COVID as an emerging disease, the release said.
“While additional animals may test positive as infections continue in people, it is important to note that performing this animal testing does not reduce the availability of tests for humans,” the release said. “We are still learning about SARS-CoV-2 in animals. Based on the information available, the risk of animals spreading the virus to people is considered to be low.”
