Three snow leopards, two males and one female, tested positive for coronavirus at the Louisville Zoo in the USA. The news was confirmed this Friday.
The three leopards, whose symptoms are "mild" and include a dry cough, are expected to fully recover, Louisville Zoo director John Walczak said in a statement.
This brings to six the number of species infected so far.
Leopards are likely to have been infected by a staff member who has been asymptomatic, although the garden has taken measures to prevent the spread.
Leopards, or other animals, are unlikely to pose a risk of transmitting the virus to humans, as Covid-19 "spreads mainly among humans."
Snow leopards are one of at least six species of animals infected with coronavirus, following contact with humans.
The first animal to be infected was a tiger at the Bronx Zoo in April. By the end of the month, eight of the zoo's "big cats", including four other tigers and three African lions, also tested positive.
According to the CDC, a small number of dogs and cats have been infected in the US.
In most cases, coronavirus in animals is not lethal.
Source: CNN
