Three snow leopards have died from COVID-19 at a Nebraska zoo. For years, the animals were fan favorites, known for pouncing on pumpkins during Halloween, posing for pictures, and laying out on rocks in their enclosure.
The cats, Everest, Makalu, and Ranney, were described by the Lincoln Children’s Zoo as being silly, bubbly, and handsome, as they were one of the zoo’s main attractions, the zoo shared in a statement.
On Friday, the zoo announced that the three leopards had died from complications with COVID-19 after testing positive about a month ago.
In October, the zoo released a statement sharing they were treating the cats with steroids and antibiotics. It is not known whether or not the animals were vaccinated.
Park animal keepers shared last month that they “observed symptoms” in the animals consistent with the virus. The leopards were experiencing coughing, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
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After their passing, the zoo shared in a statement that the cats “were beloved by our entire community inside and outside of the zoo.”
“This loss is truly heartbreaking, and we are all grieving together,” the zoo added.
With only a few thousand estimated to be living in the world, the loss is even greater as the snow leopard is considered vulnerable to extinction.
The effects of the virus on animals are still being studied by scientists as several species have been infected and died in zoos globally.
The leopards were not the only creature infected at the zoo, as two Sumatran tigers, Axl and Kumar, tested positive for COVID-19. However, on Friday, the zoo shared that they had recovered from the virus.
An investigation into how the outbreak occurred was unsuccessful in finding a cause. However, the park said it has strict coronavirus protocols in place for animal areas.
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