In a stunning development, a lioness in Chennai Zoo has died of a suspected COVID-19 infection. The lioness was caged at Araignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur, Chennai. Besides reporting a death of a lioness, the zoo has also reported that eight other lions have also tested positive for the pandemic, which has become the first-ever development in Tamil Nadu. 

In a release, the zoo has said that five lions had developed the symptoms of loss of appetite and occasional coughing on May 26 following which a team of experts was installed and samples of eleven lions, that were at the close proximity, were sent for testing. Following the testing, the samples of nine lions had returned positive. The zoo had stated that of these nine big cats, 9-year-old lioness Neele had died on June 3 at around 6.15 pm due to the suspected coronavirus infection. 

The lioness was asymptomatic and showed some nasal discharge the day before her death and she was treated immediately. However, the lioness had died on June 3. The development has come a month after eight Asiatic lions had tested positive for COVID-19 at Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad. 

In a statement concerning the development, the Chennai Zoo has said, "As per the laboratory test results furnished by the Institute, samples in respect of nine lions out of the 11 sent, have tested positive for SARS CoV-2."

"In order to ascertain whether or not the reported findings are in the nature of false-positive or the animal could have died of comorbidities, samples have also been sent on 4.6.2021 to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute Bareilly and the Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad", the statement had added.

It has further said, "All the lions that have tested positive are under close observation, on prescribed treatment by the zoo's veterinary team and are also being supervised by an expert team from Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University." It has added, "All animal keepers and helpers for these animal houses are vaccinated against COVID-19. A separate set of animal keepers is engaged for each group of lions. PPE kits are mandatory for the animal keepers, veterinary doctors, and field staff visiting the area."