Three snow leopards at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo in Nebraska have died from complications of COVID-19 a month after testing positive for the virus.
The zoo made the devastating announcement in a Facebook Friday.
“Our leopards, Ranney, Everest, and Makalu, were beloved by our entire community inside and outside of the zoo,” the facility said. “This loss is truly heartbreaking, and we are all grieving together.”
Meanwhile, the zoo said its Sumatran tigers, Axl and Kumar, have made a seemingly full recovery from their illness.
It was back on Oct. 13 the zoo announced the snow leopards and two Sumatran tigers tested positive for the virus.
All snow leopards and tigers were being treated with steroids and antibiotics to prevent secondary infection and being kept under close watch.
“The Lincoln Children’s Zoo remains open to the public and continues to take every precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to humans and animals,” the facility added.
Zoos around the world have reported positive cases of the virus among its animals in a variety of species.