Two hippopotamuses at Antwerp Zoo have tested positive for coronavirus, the zoo said on Friday (December 3), in what they say is a first confirmed case in the species.
Imani and Hermien were only suffering mild symptoms, including a runny nose, but have been put into isolation and their keepers — who have tested negative — are taking extra precautions including face masks and frequent testing.
The cause of the infection is unknown as none of the keepers have recently had COVID-19.
The zoo said they believed it was the first known case of coronavirus among hippos, though there have been confirmed cases in apes and felines.
In June, a lion in an Indian zoo died of COVID-19.
