A lion at the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens that reportedly fell sick a few days ago proved to have contracted the Covid virus.
Zoological Gardens Authorities said on examination, the beast found to be suffering from a cough and throat infection.
Thereafter the authorities had acquired a sample of phlegm from the animal and had sent it to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science in the University of Peradeniya for further examination.
The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine had confirmed that the lion had contracted the coronavirus.
The lion, named ‘Thor’, brought from South Korea has been one of the main attractions of the Dehiwala Zoo for the last 08 years. The lion has been placed along with four other lions.
Presently plans are underway to conduct PCR tests on the other lions placed alongside ‘Thor’.
Three caretakers in charge of ‘Thor’ have been placed in quarantine by the Dehiwala Zoo authorities, following the detection of the virus.
a zebra foal and a hippopotamus too have died at the Dehiwala Zoo within two weeks.
And the Zoological Gardens Authorities suspect that the cause of death could have been COVID-19.
The infection has been detected when the National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwala has been closed for visitors due to the rapidly spreading third wave of the coronavirus within the country
