"The lions and tigers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo have tested positive for coronavirus, according to a Friday announcement from the zoo. Initial results from fecal samples have come back positive, but the zoo is waiting on final results to be confirmed with a national lab.

Six African lions, a Sumatran tiger, and two Amur tigers — all the great cats at the Northwest D.C. facility — were included in the test results. Over the weekend, zookeepers observed multiple cats showing decreased appetites, coughing, sneezing, and lethargy. The lions and tigers are undergoing treatment with antibiotics to help with their discomfort and decreased appetite.

The cats are showing varying degrees of symptoms, as the tigers’ symptoms appear less severe, according to National Zoo spokesperson Pamela Baker-Masson. “Because the test results are presumptive positive and we are observing symptoms in the animals, we are treating all animals as positive,” Baker-Masson told DCist in an email."

Elliot C. Williams reports for DCist September 17, 2021. [2]