If tigers are getting COVID-19, how is 6′ of social distance sufficient?

by philg

“2 Tigers at Indiana Zoo Test Positive for COVID-19” (NBC, February 8):

Fecal samples for the tigers, Bugara and Indah, were collected for testing and came back positive with the virus.

“Bugara, the male Sumatran tiger, has been experiencing a dry cough, and Indah, the female Sumatran tiger, has not shown symptoms at this time,” staff veterinarian Dr. Kami Fox said in a statement issued Saturday. “Both tigers are being watched for any additional clinical signs and remain together in their enclosure.”

The source of infection is not yet known and zoo staff are working with the Allen County Department of Health and the State Board of Animal Health to identify potential sources, according to officials.

It seems fair to assume that nobody got within 6′ of these tigers (a reasonable rule along with don’t bring a slingshot to a tiger fight).

If tigers got infected while (a) outdoors, and (b) more than 6′ away from any infected human, why do we have confidence in our social distancing strategy?

A COVID-19-free tiger in the National Zoo back in the 1980s:

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7 thoughts on “If tigers are getting COVID-19, how is 6′ of social distance sufficient?”

  1. Some disagree with “a reasonable rule along with don’t bring a slingshot to a tiger fight” : “But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear…” – 1 Samuel 17:34-36

  3. What are the CDC/WHO guidelines regarding social distancing and mask-wearing among tigers kept in zoos and wildlife preserves? Presumably under the latest guidance, they’re obviously catching the virus and should be masked up to prevent spreading it. The Sumatran Tiger is a Critically Endangered Species (< 400) while humans are not (yet) and so the tigers should be even more protected.

    https://www.fauna-flora.org/species/sumatran-tiger

  5. The NFL had strict as balls covid restrictions, with infections among staff and players, yet not one player got infected via game contact.
    Football is a game of blood and sweat. Not one fat offensive lineman caught it wrestling with anothee fat man over the course of three hours, with that dance being repeated on 269 occasions between two groups of fifty heavily breathing, perspiring men, all in close contact.

    Not one infection.

  6. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tiger-bronx-zoo-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-today-2020-04-05/


    The USDA said samples from the tiger, named Nadia, were taken and evaluated after several lions and tigers at the Bronx Zoo presented symptoms of respiratory illness. The zoo said Nadia, her sister Azul, two Amur tigers and three African lions had developed a dry cough and decrease in appetite. They are all expected to recover.
    …
    Health officials say the large cats got sick from being exposed to a zoo employee who had COVID-19, but was asymptomatic.

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