The San Diego Zoo announced Thursday a group of nine great apes were vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the Associated Press.
The vaccinations of the great apes were prompted after a troop of gorillas in the zoo became infected with COVID-19, The AP reported.
After a troop of eight western lowland gorillas got sick in January, San Diego Zoo staff received experimental COVID-19 vaccines to give to great apes in their care, including bonobos and orangutans https://t.co/TVTHQID8bK
— National Geographic (@NatGeo) March 3, 2021
Animals included in the vaccination effort include four orangutans and five bonobos. Three more bonobos and a gorilla are also expected to be vaccinated.
The zoo had a COVID-19 outbreak in January that affected eight western lowland gorillas. The COVID-positive gorillas had a number of symptoms, including congestion and coughing. (RELATED: Tiger Tests Positive For COVID-19 At Bronx Zoo)
“That made us realize that our other apes were at risk,” Chief Conservation and Wildlife Health Officer Nadine Lamberski said, AP reported. “We wanted to do our best to protect them from this virus because we don’t really know how it’s going to impact them.”
Employees at the zoo are required to wear masks at all times while around the gorillas, according to the AP.
The specialized vaccine given to the great apes was developed by Zoetis Inc. The company manufactures various vaccines and medicines for animals.
Other animals have also been diagnosed with COVID-19, including tigers at multiple zoos and snow leopard.