India Starts Testing Elephants For COVID-19 After 9 Lions Tested Positive

KEY POINTS

India is now testing elephants for COVID-19 after nine lions tested positive for the coronavirus
Elephants at the Theppakadu and Kozhikamuthy camps are now being fed separately to lower the risk of transmission
A lioness at the Arignar Anna Zoo is suspected to have died of COVID-19

Forest minister K. Ramachandran has ordered officials to administer COVID-19 testing on elephants housed at Theppakadu and Kozhikamuthy elephant camps.

Shortly after nine lions from the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur tested positive for COVID-19, K. Ramachandran has instructed elephant trainers to test their animals in order to find out if they have been infected with the coronavirus.

“All precautionary measures are being taken at the camp," K. K. Kaushal, field director at the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, told Times of India.

Kaushal said that they have started feeding the elephants one at a time to lower the risk of transmission.

"Feeding time has been increased from one hour to three hours each as each elephant is fed separately and sent back once feeding is done," Kaushal explained.

The field director also shared the challenge of convincing the elephant trainers, or mahouts, to get vaccinated against COVID-19, stating that most of them are unaware of its importance. Out of the 54 mahouts working at the Theppakadu elephant camp, only 12 have been vaccinated.

"Only 12 mahouts have been vaccinated so far. They are from tribal communities and show little inclination towards vaccination. We are creating awareness among them. Before they enter the camp in the morning, thermal scanning is done," said Kaushal.

As the coronavirus pandemic paralysed global travel and closed many tourist sites, Thailand's some 3,000 domesticated elephants have been unemployed AFP / Lillian SUWANRUMPHA

The call for animal testing at the Theppakadu and Kozhikamuthy elephant camps came after a lioness housed in Vandalur is suspected to have died of COVID-19. Following the animal's death, nine lions from the same zoo also tested positive for the coronavirus, India Today reported.

Five lions reportedly began exhibiting signs of loss of appetite and coughing on May 26. To further understand the conditions of the animals, the Arignar Anna Zoological Park coordinated with TANUVAS before testing the lions for COVID-19. Out of the 11 lions, nine of them tested positive.

A press release by the Arignar Anna Zoological Park said the lions who tested positive are now being closely monitored and are being treated by the zoo's in-house veterinary team. All of the animal keepers and helpers have been vaccinated against COVID-19 as well.