Eight gorillas at the San Diego Zoo have fully recovered after hiring the Covid-19 last month, the zoo said.
Western lowland gorillas captured the coronavirus variant on the west coast, zoo officials say, although team members adhere to all recommended biosecurity precautions.
The zoo’s eight gorillas were left isolated after diagnosis, and some showed symptoms that included “mild coughing, congestion, runny nose and intermittent lethargy,” the zoo said in an online update.
Zoo officials accredit the recovery of gorillas to the “highest level of care” offered by the zoo’s veterinary team, wildlife care professionals and collaboration with a wide range of colleagues and partners.
“We are very grateful for the concern and support we received while the troops were recovering safely,” said Lisa Peterson, executive director of the San Diego Zoo. “We are thrilled to share the joy that this beloved troop brings to our community and our guests.”
The San Diego Zoo has committed to sharing coronavirus documentation with its gorillas in hopes that it will help “provide important information about the scientific understanding of the virus and its effects on great apes.”
Gorillas can now be seen for visitors.