Protecting wild animals from COVID-19

Protecting wild animals from COVID-19


Although scientists continue to study the effects of COVID-19 in animals, we know that some big cats and gorillas have been infected in zoos in the United States and elsewhere.

This summer, Zoetis, a veterinary pharmaceutical company, donated 11 thousand doses of a conditionally approved COVID-19 vaccine to zoos, wild animal sanctuaries, universities and other conservation facilities in the United States. This vaccine is being developed for animals only. So far, apes, bears, mountain lions, mink and ferrets have received the vaccine.

The US Department of Agriculture has not considered any vaccine candidates for dogs and cats. Advice from experts remains the same with regard to protecting our pets: if you have COVID-19 symptoms, isolate from your pets as you would from people.

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