Quebec zoo hoping to vaccinate wild animals against COVID-19 over coming weeks

Officials say there has been a "worrying'' rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in North American zoos, especially among large felines such as lions and leopards.

After millions of Quebecers rolled up their sleeves for COVID-19 vaccines, it could soon be zoo animals’ turn to get the shot.

The Granby Zoo, east of Montreal, says it is hoping in the coming weeks or months to vaccinate against COVID-19 about 90 animals, including gorillas, big cats and other creatures deemed susceptible to the disease. The vaccines are in the United States awaiting clearance to Canada.

“Hopefully, we can start at least a few species by Christmas. I’m crossing my fingers for that,” Emilie Couture, a veterinarian with the zoo, said in a recent interview.

She said the zoo is planning to vaccinate the species that appear to be the most vulnerable to COVID-19. Primates and big cats such as tigers, jaguars and leopards top the list, she said, adding that the zoo is also including some other mammals such as red pandas.

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There has been a “worrying” rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in North American zoos, especially among large felines such as lions and leopards, Couture said. Last week, three snow leopards died at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo, in Nebraska, of complications from COVID-19 — an event that she said shocked the North American zoo community.

“Contrary to the first reports of disease early in the pandemic with the large felids, where they seem to have some respiratory signs but eventually recovered without significant disease, there is actually more severe diseases leading to death, even if institutions housing and caring for these animals already had biosecurity measures in place,” Couture said.

Many scientists believe that, like in humans, the more contagious Delta variant is to blame for the rise in cases and severe disease, she added.