Four lions at a Barcelona zoo have tested positive for coronavirus, with authorities trying to establish if the big cats caught COVID-19 from an infected zookeeper.
Spanish zookeepers noticed three 16-year-old females, Zala, Nima and Run Run, and a four-year-old male, Kiumbe, were showing unusual symptoms similar to a cold.
The animals were swabbed and tested and returned positive results.
It is the second known case of big cats contracting the virus, after four tigers and three lions tested positive earlier this year in New York City's Bronx Zoo.
Barcelona zookeepers have been in contact with their Bronx counterparts for advice about treating the cats. All the animals at Bronx zoo recovered fully.
Two staff at Zoo Barcelona have also tested positive, and are believed to have given the lions the virus.
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"The lions were given veterinary care for their mild clinical condition — similar to a very mild flu condition — through anti-inflammatory treatment and close monitoring, and the animals responded well," the Barcelona zoo said in a statement.
All symptoms disappeared after 15 days, except for coughing or sneezing, local media reported.
Many animals can carry the coronavirus, but few can transmit it to humans.
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