Approximately 40 animals at the Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden have received the COVID-19 vaccination.
Select animals have been inoculated against COVID-19, according to zoo authorities. Animals at the greatest risk of getting COVID-19 were given a vaccination designed specifically for animals and approved by the US Department of Agriculture.
African lions, Sumatran tigers, mountain lions, jaguar, bobcat, clouded leopards, fisher cats, serval, and caracal were among the 40 animals immunized at the Oklahoma City Zoo.
Vaccinations were also given to the zoo’s Western lowland gorillas, Sumatran orangutans, chimps, North American river otters and ferrets, and education ambassador animals.
“Amidst the challenges of the pandemic, we have kept our animals healthy and now we can further protect these vulnerable species from COVID with access to this vaccine,” according to Dr. Jennifer D’Agostino, Oklahoma City Zoo’s director of veterinary services, in a recent press release. “Preventative care is a vital part of our veterinary program and we will continue to rely on the science behind successful measures like vaccines to ensure our animals’ health and well-being.”
The immunizations were administered by a veterinarian team that worked closely with animal caretakers, according to zoo authorities. According to the press release, several animals readily participated as a result of the Oklahoma City Zoo’s animal care staff and their excellent training practices.
After the first round of COVID-19 immunizations, veterinarians and care team members closely watched each of the animals. In the upcoming weeks, the animals will get their second treatment.
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