04/08/2020

Coronavirus Tracker: Zoo Groups Advise Members After Tiger Gets COVID–19

April 8, 2020

Current statistics on the spread of COVID-19 worldwide and a roundup of conference, travel and business news and information.

TIGER WITH COVID-19 PROMPTS GUIDANCE FROM ZOO ASSOCIATIONS
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV) are taking steps to ease concerns after reports that a tiger at the Bronx Zoo had tested positive for COVID-19, the first such known case in the world.

On Monday, the two groups’ leaders, AZA President and CEO Dan Ashe and AAZV Executive Director Robert Hilsenroth, released a joint statement emphasizing that “there is currently no evidence to suggest that any animals, including pets, can spread COVID–19 to people.” They noted that almost all AZA-accredited facilities are currently closed and that the professional staff at the Bronx Zoo are “taking the necessary precautions to protect themselves and the animals.”

AZA has advised members who work with cat species to use additional personal protective equipment, practice social distancing with the animals, and take other cleanliness precautions.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Associations Now.