(CNN) – Seven other big cats caught coronavirus at the Bronx Zoo, in addition to a tiger that tested positive earlier this month, the Wildlife Conservation Society announced.
The nonprofit, which runs the famous New York City Zoo, said three tigers and three African lions began showing symptoms in early April, when the zoo announced that a 4-year-old Malay tiger named Nadia tested positive.
All six big cats were tested and those results now show that they are also infected. According to the zoo, they had been coughing.
One more tiger, which showed no symptoms, also tested positive.
The zoo said the cats were infected by a staff member who was positive but had no symptoms at the time. In response, preventive measures are now in place for staff caring for these animals at the four zoos run by the state nonprofit organization.
All four zoos have been closed since mid-March, the nonprofit said.
The zoo said the animals now behave normally, eat well, and no longer cough as much.
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