SUAMICO, WI (WTAQ) — Another population is set to get vaccinated soon in Northeast Wisconsin.
COVID-19 doesn’t just infect humans. Big cats, primates, and even mammals like deer can also come down with the virus.
“There have been a number of large cats and great apes in various zoos across the country that have had COVID symptoms, been tested, and had the illness,” said Carmen Murach, the curator of animals at the NEW Zoo.
That’s causing some zoos around the country to vaccinate their animals against the virus, and that includes NEW Zoo in Suamico.
“There is a vaccine that has been developed for use in wild animals, and we are on the list for that,” Murach explained. “We’re waiting out turn, and when it is available, we do intend to vaccinate a few of our animals.”
Mammals will be targeted for the vaccine. It doesn’t effect birds or reptiles.
They haven’t had any cases of COVID-19 among their animals so far, but Murach says they have biosecurity measures in place, including masking around at-risk animals.
The Milwaukee County Zoo announced this week that they would also be vaccinating their animals.
