Illinois: Snow leopard succumbs to COVID-19 at the Miller Park Zoo

Amid the massive surge in COVID-19 cases in the US, courtesy of the highly transmissible omicron variant, a snow leopard that tested positive for COVID-19 has died at a zoo in Bloomington, Illinois.

The Miller Park Zoo, in an Instagram post on Thursday, announced the death of the snow leopard, which it said had been struggling with “COVID-induced pneumonia” after it contracted the disease in November 2021.

The snow leopard, named Rilu, had arrived at the Miller Park Zoo from the Oklahoma City Zoo in 2011, and produced seven snow leopard cubs that are now part of the Miller Park Zoo’s Species Survival Plan (SSP).

“Rilu’s personality and beauty will be missed by guests and staff, but he will not be forgotten,” the Miller Park Zoo said, bidding farewell to Rilu.

This is not the first-time a big cat has died of COVID-19 or associated complications. Earlier in December, three snow leopards also succumbed to complications arising from COVID-19 at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo in Nebraska, while two Sumatran tigers were lucky enough to recover from the debilitating disease.

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Snow leopards are among several species of animals that are vulnerable to COVID-19. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vulnerable domestic animals include cats, dogs, and ferrets. Several species of big cats, too, are susceptible, including snow leopards. Other animals that are susceptible to COVID-19 include otters, primates, hyenas, white-tailed dear, to name a few.

Notably, most animals contract COVID-19 from their human handlers, and it is therefore imperative for their handlers to be vaccinated and COVID-free.

In cognizance of this vulnerability, zoos in Oakland and Denver started vaccinating tigers, bears, and other large mammals in in July 2021, while the San Diego zoo kicked off its vaccination drive with a two-dose vaccine for its Gorillas in March 2021.

Large scale efforts to vaccinate animals have been undertaken too. According to the Guardian, New Jersey animal health company Zoetis has donated more than 11,000 COVID-19 vaccines to over 70 zoos and wildlife sanctuaries across the US till date, as part of an initiative by the US Department of Agriculture.