OAKLAND, Calif. — As part of a nationwide effort to preserve animal species using an experimental COVID-19 Vaccination, a zoo in the San Francisco Bay Area is vaccinating its big cats, bears, and ferrets against the coronavirus.
The zoo’s vice president of veterinary services, Alex Herman, said no animals had contracted the illness, but they wanted to be cautious. The first of two dosages were given to tigers, black and grizzly bears, mountain lions, and ferrets. Following that are primates and pigs.
According to the press release, Zoetis is giving more than 11,000 doses for animals residing in almost 70 zoos, as well as more than a dozen conservatories, sanctuaries, academic institutions, and government agencies throughout 27 states.
Great apes and felines share 98 percent of their DNA with humans, making them particularly vulnerable. Coronavirus has been confirmed in gorillas, tigers, and lions at zoos, as well as household cats and dogs.