San Diego Zoo Safari Park Gorillas Recovering After SARS-CoV-2 Diagnosis
Apes’ Health Owed to Collaboration with Colleagues and Partner Organizations; Diagnosis Could Deepen Scientific Understanding of World Pandemic
The gorilla troop at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is recovering following the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in several troop members earlier this month. San Diego Zoo Global is relieved to announce that the eight-member troop is eating, drinking, interacting and on their way to a full recovery, thanks to the incredible work of wildlife care professionals, the veterinary team, and collaborations with a wide array of colleagues and partners who ensured that the highest standard of care was given to the affected gorillas.
The conservation organization joined forces with many local, state and national leaders in the medical, scientific, zoological and public health communities. In addition to providing the best care possible for the gorilla troop, this ongoing teamwork could contribute to a deeper understanding of the impacts of this virus on animals and people worldwide.
These colleagues include professionals from San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, UC San Diego Health, Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego, the Scripps Research Institute, California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, California Department of Food and Agriculture, California Department of Public Health, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Department of Agriculture National Veterinary Services Laboratories, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine, The Great Ape Heart Project based at Zoo Atlanta and Chicago Zoological Society Radiology Consulting Service.
Despite team members going above and beyond all recommended biosecurity precautions, several members of the Safari Park gorilla troop tested positive for the
A gorilla at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, Calif., underwent monoclonal antibody therapy after contracting COVID-19 this month.
Winston, an elderly silverback gorilla, and several of his troop members tested positive for the coronavirus after they had symptoms such as mild coughing. Veterinary staff, concerned about Winston’s age and underlying medical conditions, performed a diagnostic examination on him, a zoo statement said. He was found to have pneumonia and heart disease.
Zoo staff consulted with specialists before treating the gorilla with heart medications, antibiotics and monoclonal antibody therapy. A news release said the antibody treatment administered was not permitted for human use.
“Treatment with these synthetic versions of the body’s natural defenses is thought to be effective in diminishing effects from the virus,” the release said. “The veterinary team who treated Winston believe the antibodies may have contributed to his ability to overcome the virus.”
Additionally, the veterinary staff was provided with a limited supply of a “recombinant purified spike protein vaccine” intended for protecting animals against the coronavirus — also not intended for human use. Zoo staff members have begun identifying animal candidates for the vaccine at the Safari Park as well as at their San Diego Zoo location.
