He is small and ferocious with a deadly name, but a Bengal tiger called Covid has given hope to a zoo in Mexico as the pandemic ravages the world.

A Bengal tiger born last month in a Mexico zoo was named Covid
A Bengal tiger born last month in a Mexico zoo was named Covid AFP / VICTORIA RAZO

The cub was born last month at Bio Zoo in the eastern state of Veracruz as the virus that causes COVID-19 spread like wildfire, forcing half the world's population to stay home and devastating millions of businesses -- including the privately-run zoo.

"The birth of Covid was a gift for us, an incredible gift for both Bio Zoo and us as a family -- it was a bit of hope in the current situation," said Kitzia Rodriguez, a vet at the zoo run by her family.

Covid weighed a healthy 1.4 kilograms (three pounds) after his surprise birth in Mexico
Covid weighed a healthy 1.4 kilograms (three pounds) after his surprise birth in Mexico AFP / VICTORIA RAZO

"It is a name of hope, of a virus that came to teach us to look after ourselves."

A baby tiger who was born during quarantine has been called 'Covid' at the Mexican Africa Bio Zoo in Cordoba (Veracruz). Zoo staff say the name is one of "hope" because the virus, despite being deadly, has forced people to "rethink"
A baby tiger who was born during quarantine has been called 'Covid' at the Mexican Africa Bio Zoo in Cordoba (Veracruz). Zoo staff say the name is one of "hope" because the virus, despite being deadly, has forced people to "rethink" AFPTV / Victoria RAZO

Though he still struggles to stand up and constantly sticks out his tongue demanding milk, Covid is already showing his Bengal tiger roots with energetic roars.

"Covid was born very strong, he was born big, although no one knew that his mother was pregnant," Rodriguez added.

His eight-year-old mother was rescued from a circus and had problems with her hips, making it difficult for her to get pregnant.

Coronavirus