Great Apes at San Diego Zoo Receive COVID-19 Vaccinations

By: Nesa Nourmohammadi

The zoo’s bonobo and orangutan populations receive a vaccine created for nonhuman use two months after members of the zoo's gorilla troop came down with virus.

You can stream THE ZOO: SAN DIEGO on discovery+.

March 05, 2021

Protection against COVID-19 isn’t limited to only humans. A troop of great apes from the San Diego Zoo have been vaccinated against the disease.

The news of the immunizations comes two months after members of the zoo’s gorilla troop were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2.

“The 8-member gorilla troop at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is doing well and has fully recovered after contracting SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19,” the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance said in a statement to Discovery.

 Young gorilla and mother at San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Young gorilla and mother at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, as seen on the Animal Planet/discovery+ series THE ZOO: SAN DIEGO.

Photo by: Discovery

Discovery

Young gorilla and mother at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, as seen on the Animal Planet/discovery+ series THE ZOO: SAN DIEGO.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is the nonprofit organization that oversees the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Safari Park, both of which are featured in the Animal Planet/discovery+ series THE ZOO: SAN DIEGO.

The vaccine was developed for nonhuman use by Zoetis, a company that develops medicines, vaccines and diagnostic products for animals and livestock. Vaccinations were distributed to specifically to the San Diego Zoo’s bonobos and orangutans.

To learn more about the San Diego Zoo, stream new episodes of THE ZOO: SAN DIEGO every Saturday with discovery+.

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