After Hyderabad, Lioness at UP’s Etawah Lion Safari tests positive for coronavirus

Etawah: After 8 lions of Hyderabad zoo got infection of Corona, now the authorities of the Etawah Lion Safari were in worry after a Lioness was tested positive of Covid 19.

After two Lioness got ill, the safari authorities sent samples of all 14 animals to IVRI Bareilly. Last night in the report of a Lioness, who was ill was found to be positive.

IVRI joint director Dr KP Singh confirmed that 14 lion-lioness samples came from Etawah Lion Safari and one of the samples tested positive for COVID-19.

After the reports of 8 lions contracting Corona in Hyderabad zoo, the Safari authorities sent 16 samples of 14 lion and lioness to IVRI BSL-3 lab for test two days back.

According to Etawah Lion Safari authorities here on Friday, Lioness Jennifer and Gauri have been admitted to Safari Park’s Animal Hospital after their condition deteriorated. They are being given bottles of glucose. 

All security arrangements have been beefed up in Safari along with alerts. All employees who go to the animals have been made mandatory to wear PPE kits. Along with this, RTPCR tests of all employees is being made.

Another eight samples have been sent to investigate the corona of the lions of Etawah Safari Park. The report of which has not yet been received by the Safari administration.  Further action will be taken as soon as the report is received.

Earlier in the Corona era last year, the Etawah Safari Park has been placed on high alert after death of 23 lions due to some infection in Junagadh, Gujarat. Then all the 16 lions present in the Etawah Lion Safari were conducted for testing of lionesses and cubs.

No one is allowed near the safari wildlife. The instructions issued by the CZA and the government regarding the corona infection are being followed in full.  There is a provision of sanitization at the main gate of Safari.  Safari has been made virus-proof.

It is believed that the infection may have reached the Lioness at the Breeding Center after a worker was found to be corona infected in the safari recently. (UNI)