A tiger in Bronx Zoo, in New York City has tested positive for Coronavirus. The four-year-old female Malayan tiger named Nadia, is believed to be the first known case of an animal infected with Covid-19 in the US.

The National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Iowa has confirmed the test result. Nadia apparently got infected by an asymptomatic zoo keeper.

The four-year-old Malayan tiger named Nadia along with her sister Azul, two Amur tigers and three African lions all developed dry coughs and are expected to fully recover, the Wildlife Conservation Society that runs the city’s zoos said in a statement quoted by a PTI report.

“We tested the cat out of an abundance of caution and will ensure any knowledge we gain about Covid-19 will contribute to the world’s continuing understanding of this novel coronavirus,” the statement sent to AFP said.

“Though they have experienced some decrease in appetite, the cats at the Bronx Zoo are otherwise doing well under veterinary care and are bright, alert, and interactive with their keepers,” the statement continued.

“It is not known how this disease will develop in big cats since different species can react differently to novel infections, but we will continue to monitor them closely and anticipate full recoveries.”

All four of the zoos and the aquarium in New York — whose virus death toll has topped 4,000 — have been closed since March 16.

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