Tigers at Jakarta zoo roar back to health after contracting COVID-19

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan visiting a Sumatran tiger that contracted COVID-19 at Ragunan Zoo in South Jakarta. Photo: Instagram/@aniesbaswedan
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan visiting a Sumatran tiger that contracted COVID-19 at Ragunan Zoo in South Jakarta. Photo: Instagram/@aniesbaswedan

Two of Jakarta’s toothiest citizens tested positive for COVID-19, officials say, but have thankfully recovered from symptoms associated with the disease.

Tino, 9, and Hari, 12, are Sumatran tigers residing at South Jakarta’s Ragunan Zoo. An official said that in early July, the apex predators showed flu-like symptoms, including difficulty breathing and loss of appetite, leading to positive COVID-19 tests on July 15.

“After 10 to 12 days of treatment, the two animals got better and recovered,” Suzi Marsitawati, head of Jakarta’s Parks and City Forest Agency, said in a statement yesterday, adding that the endangered creatures were given antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and multivitamins during their treatment. 

Tino and Hari are now active and have regained their appetites. They are still under medical supervision as a precaution.

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan visited Tino and Hari in Ragunan on Saturday, during which he said he was thankful the disease didn’t spread to other animals in nearby enclosures, possibly due to ample distance between them.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSCN09yBSnb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

“We pray that all the inhabitants of Ragunan Zoo always stay healthy, and that they can soon meet with visitors again,” Anies wrote in the Instagram post above.

Officials have not been able to trace the source of Tino and Hari’s infections, as the zoo has been closed to visitors for months amid the implementation of mobility curbs in Jakarta. Zoo employees, including those who are frequently in close contact with the tigers, recently tested negative for the coronavirus.

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