A zoo in Santiago, Chile, completed a second dose of animal COVID-19 vaccination on January 3. This is the first time in Latin America. With this experimental vaccination, the park hopes to test the effectiveness of the new crown vaccine on animals and provide protection for these endangered or rare animals.
"Charlie", a Bengal tiger at a Chilean zoo, is vaccinated against COVID-19. Image source: AFP
As the "star" of the Santiago Bouin Zoo, 3-year-old Bengal tiger "Charlie", 26-year-old Bornean orangutan "Samdai" and eight other animals were given the first dose of animal COVID-19 vaccine on December 13 last year, and the second dose was given on the 3rd. The vaccine is still in the experimental phase and is not on the market.
Sebastian Celis, head of veterinary department at Bouin Zoo, said the vaccination of animals "is intended to protect the animals most susceptible to the virus and test whether the vaccine can stimulate immunity; if so, how long immunity can last."
According to Agence France-Presse, zoos in many countries have reported that monkeys, orangutans, tigers, lions, etc. have been infected with the new crown virus, and wild deer, domestic pets, and captive mink have also been infected with the new crown virus. However, the Buin Zoo did not test any animals for covid-19 because none of the animals had symptoms of suspected infection.
Source: CCTV news client
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