FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE       
April 6, 2020

CONTACT:  
SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL
PUBLIC RELATIONS
619-685-3291

WEBSITE:   
SanDiegoZoo.org

STATEMENT

San Diego Zoo Global Continues Biosecurity Protocols During COVID-19 Pandemic

     In light of recent news, we at San Diego Zoo Global assure you that the health and safety of our employees, our community and the wildlife in our care remains our top priority. As you have come to expect, we have many strong biosecurity practices already in place to prevent the spread of disease between wildlife and wildlife care team members. 

     With the increased challenge posed by the community spread of COVID-19, we have further increased our biosecurity measures. Many of the same measures used to protect people—such as physical distancing, face covers, handwashing and disinfection—also serve to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to our animals. When wildlife care professionals are unable to ensure physical distancing, we use additional measures. 

     Through communications received from scientists around the world, we are aware that great apes and possibly other primates, bats, carnivores and suids (pigs) may potentially be impacted by COVID-19. Although none of the animals in our care have been affected, San Diego Zoo Global veterinarians and wildlife care professionals are discussing increased biosecurity measures, just as we have for other infectious diseases, including virulent Newcastle disease and avian flu.

     The USDA provided a statement today confirming the COVID-19 case in the Bronx tiger and provided some questions and answers, included here. <Link:https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/news/sa_by_date/sa-2020/ny-zoo-covid-19>

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