The two 11-week-old white tiger cubs that died at the Lahore Zoo last month appear to have died of Covid-19, according to officials.
The cubs died at the zoo on January 30, four days after starting to receive treatment for what officials thought was the feline panleukopenia virus- a disease that zoo officials believe is common in Pakistan and targets immune systems of cats.
However, an autopsy revealed that the cubs’ lungs were severely damaged and they were suffering from an intense infection, with pathologists subsequently concluding that they died from Covid-19.
Although a PCR test for the novel coronavirus was not conducted, the Lahore Zoo Deputy Director, Kiran Saleem told the press that the zoo believes the white tiger cubs were victims of the pandemic which has killed 12,276 people in Pakistan.
“After their death, the zoo administration conducted tests of all officials, and six were tested positive, including one official who handled the cubs,” Saleem said.
“It strengthens the findings of the autopsy. The cubs probably caught the virus from the person handling and feeding them.”
Pakistan’s zoos are notorious for drawing rage from animal rights activists, who claim that hundreds of animals have died from poor living conditions and maintenance.
“The last two white tiger cubs have died at Lahore zoo and once again the negligence of the management and authorities has come out,” Zufishan Anushay, founder of Justice for Kiki (JFK) Animal Rescue And Shelter, told the press.
“White tigers are extremely rare and need a specific habitat and environment to live a healthy life. By caging them in unhygienic conditions with no medical arrangements, we will keep witnessing these incidents,” she said.
“Covid-19 is a new virus, and the world is making policies for humans,” she said. “It should not forget animals in pet shops, zoos and everywhere else.”
Nevertheless, Saleem rejected the allegations of neglect and mistreatment at the Lahore Zoo. Moreover, she has said that animal rights activists are welcome to visit and check the facility’s safety and hygiene protocols themselves.
In December, two Himalayan brown bears were airlifted out of the Islamabad Zoo to a sanctuary in Jordan.
That rescue came weeks after an elephant Kaavan was moved to a sanctuary in Cambodia, after a years-long campaign that included US pop star, Cher.
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