Over the weekend, the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo announced that both their Sumatran tigers tested positive for COVID-19.
One of the big cats, Bugara, showed mild symptoms consistent with the virus earlier. Bugarah and the other tiger, Indah, were both tested via a fecal sample and found to have the virus.
The source of the infection is yet unknown, and zoo officials are working with the Allen County Department of Health and the State Board of Animal Health to try to identify potential sources, according to a press release.
Extra precautions have been taken, including restricted access to the tiger holding area and increased PPE.
Zoo officials await a decision from the state on whether additional animals need to be tested for COVID-19, according to the release.
COVID-19 was diagnosed in 274 additional Allen County residents on Friday and Saturday, according to the Allen County Department of Health.
That brings the county total to 34,505 infections, and 580 deaths have been reported. Allen County’s 7-day positivity rate is 7.9 percent, down from 8.1 percent on Thursday.
Elsewhere in northeast Indiana, Noble and LaGrange counties have joined Adams and Wells counties in the yellow for the spread of COVID-19 on the state’s dashboard measuring cases per 100,000 residents and 7-day positivity.
Whitley County remains in the red according to the state’s map, with a 7-day positivity rate at 14.1 percent.
