Among the infected is a 60-year-old Ozzie, who is the oldest male gorilla in the world! Sam Rivera, DVM, the zoo's senior director of animal health said, "We are very concerned that these infections occurred, especially given that our safety protocols when working with great apes and other susceptible animal species are, and throughout the pandemic have been, extremely rigorous".
Zoo Atlanta is home to 20 western lowland gorillas living in four different troops. As per zoo management, the gorillas got infected by a fully vaccinated veterinary staff, who was asymptomatic. After the incident, the zoo authorities will continue testing the gorillas, regardless of whether or not they are showing symptoms.
The news comes as a surprise because the team members wear full PPE kit, including gloves, masks and suits. Also the physical distance is always maintained between the gorillas and team members. Now to treat them, the zoo has received Zoetis vaccine, made specifically for animals to guard against COVID-19. The same vaccine has been used at several famous zoos, including California's Oakland Zoo and the San Diego Zoo.
