Three western lowland gorillas have tested positive for COVID-19 at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. This was announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and this makes these gorillas the first, for their animal species, to have tested positive for the virus. Gorillas are now the seventh animal species to have contracted the virus naturally. 

“The [infected] gorillas, who live in a troop of eight, are expected to recover. Some may have it and others may not. They live in a troop with a single silverback. He’s the leader. He guides them throughout the day. They look to him. It’s really best for them that they’re allowed to continue as they are,” said Lisa Peterson, executive director of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

The caretakers have decided to keep the eight gorillas in a group and monitor them closely. The virus was found in the gorillas because two of the gorillas began coughing on Jan. 6, so the staff collected the feces of the gorillas. These feces were sent to the Food Safety Laboratory System and the California Animal Health; the virus was later found and confirmed on Jan 11. The three gorillas are showing more symptoms than coughing such as runny noses. 

Though other wildlife such as tigers and lions have also been affected by COVID-19, it’s unknown if the gorillas can have a serious reaction from the COVID-19. This is concerning for the gorillas as the western lowland gorillas’ population has been declining by more than 60% over the last two decades. The fact that the gorillas have been affected by COVID-19 confirms earlier research, in which western lowland gorillas and other rare gorillas were found to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. 

“The potential for COVID-like disease outbreak in either captive or wild populations of endangered primates is pretty high,” said Harris Lewin, a distinguished professor of ecology and evolution at the University of California, Davis.

The zoo officials are communicating with experts who treat COVID-19 in humans in case the animals develop more symptoms. The Safari Park also added more safety measures for their staff which includes shields for their faces and eye goggles whenever in contact with animals.

Because there are less than 5,000 gorillas in the wild, many are worried about the fact that if one caught the virus, it is possible for wild gorillas to catch the virus. However, it seems that Peterson is hopeful about the recovery of the gorillas and believes that they learned a lot through observing the affected animals. 

Photo courtesy of TIME.COM