Photo/Illutration An aerial view of the Adventure World zoo in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture (Shiro Nishihata)

In the first reported instance in Japan, two lions died in January at the Adventure World zoo in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, after contracting the novel coronavirus, the zoo reported on March 9. 

According to the zoo, of the 23 lions in its possession, a 19-year-old male lion died on Jan. 9, followed by a 21-year-old female lion on Jan. 12.

The zoo found that they had contracted COVID-19 in tests that were conducted on both after their deaths.

As other lions are showing symptoms such as coughing, the zoo has conducted tests on all the lions and is waiting for the results.

As the two lions’ keeper had COVID-19 during the period when they died, zoo officials believe that they contracted the virus from the individual.

The two lions, which were old in terms of a lion’s age, are thought to have developed pneumonia after contracting the virus, according to zoo officials.

The officials say that they will observe the conditions of their animals and implement thorough measures to prevent the spread of infections.

According to the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums, this is the first reported case of a zoo in Japan of a novel coronavirus infection among its animals.

Overseas, it was reported that a Malayan tiger and gorillas have contracted the novel coronavirus in zoos in the United States.

An official at the association, which consists of zoos and aquariums in Japan, says that it was beneficial for the Adventure World zoo to report the cases because they will be useful in preventing future infections at zoos.

Feline animals, including lions or domestic cats that people keep as pets, are known for being more prone to the novel coronavirus.

Experts believe that cats, just like human beings, contract the novel coronavirus through contact, airborne droplets or “aerosol transmissions,” which is transmission through smaller droplets, from humans or other felines. 

Many zoos in Japan keep endangered species of feline animals including those of tigers or lions.

They take preventive measures such as maintaining proper distances between visitors and those animals when the zoos are open.

Kyoji Yamada, a veterinarian in Nakashibetsu town in Hokkaido who has treated a pet cat when it was infected with the novel coronavirus and has written a thesis on the case, urges caution to be taken by zoos.

“The novel coronavirus is highly infectious, and human beings could transmit it to feline animals, which are highly susceptible to the virus,” Yamada said. “We need to prevent infections in society as much as possible to protect the animals too and cooperate with preventive measures put in place by zoos.”

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