A theme park in Shirahama Town, Wakayama Prefecture announced that two elderly lions that had been kept were infected with the new coronavirus in January and died.
It is the first time that an animal kept in a domestic zoo has died after being infected with the new coronavirus.
According to the theme park "Adventure World" in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, in early January this year, both an elderly 19-year-old male lion and a 21-year-old female lion had symptoms such as runny nose, cough, and loss of appetite. I was seen
The two animals later developed pneumonia, and the male died on January 9, and the female died three days later.
When the facility sent two samples to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases for an antigen test, it was found to be positive for the new coronavirus.
At the same time, two breeding staff were also infected with the new corona, so the facility believes that the breeding staff infected the lion.
Eight other lions kept at the same location also had symptoms such as coughing, but are now recovering.
Animals other than lions have not shown any symptoms, and the facility will continue to operate while thoroughly managing the physical condition of the animals and taking measures to prevent infection.
According to the Japan Association of Zoos and Aquariums, this is the first time that an animal kept in a zoo in Japan has died after being infected with the new coronavirus.