A moment that has been dread since the pandemic begin has now occur , as western lowland gorillas atSan Diego Safari Parktested positivistic for SARS - CoV-2 . So far the Gorilla gorilla appear to be relatively unmoved by the computer virus , but the announcement confirms the critically endangered species is susceptible to the computer virus , total to care for their safety machine in the wild .
“ Aside from some congestion and coughing , the Gorilla gorilla are doing well , ” the green ’s executive director Lisa Peterson order in astatement . “ The troop continue quarantined together and are eating and salute . We are promising for a full convalescence . ”
The troop ’s strong bond entail the peril of those with the computer virus infect the others is very gamey . However , those same bonds mean that any detachment , even a temporary one , would affect their mental wellness . give the high chance an septic animal would be included on the wrong side of any attempt to divide the sickish and the well , ballpark faculty prefer to keep the gorilla together .
The troop includes Joanne and her mother Imani . remarkably for a gorilla , Joanne wasborn by ampere-second - sectionat the park in 2014 , after complications in labor threatened her health .
The commons is consulting doctors who have treated humans with COVID-19 to prepare to take action if any of the Gorilla gorilla ' condition worsen .
The park has been shut to the public since other December , and it is reckon the gorilla caught the computer virus off an asymptomatic keeper . mask and other PPE were required for work around all animals suspect of being susceptible , but as we have learn to our cost , the computer virus often finds a way .
“ For almost one year our squad member have been working indefatigably , with the utmost determination to protect each other and the wildlife in our upkeep from this highly contagious computer virus , ” Petersonsaid .
The annunciation corroborate fears that gaga gorilla could become infected . On the other hand , the soft response mitigates fear the virus would be an exigent expiry sentence for our near congenator . The rigor of the disease appears to vary wide by species , withbig catsat the Bronx Zoo infected in April fair well , while mink coat have beenmass culledfrom fears they could unfold a mutate form . However , it ’s definitely too other to be convinced gorillas will survive unharmed .
Just as the virus crossed to humans from bats , possibly ( butprobably not ) infecting pangolins on the way , there were fright from the beginning it could move from humans to threaten metal money of fauna . Most concern were our nearest relatives , the great apes , who are commonly susceptible to the same disease as us .
Extensive efforts have been made to keep wild great aper population disease free , even at the cost ofshutting downprograms whose income helps fund conservation programs .
