Gorillas becomes first known apes to test positive for coronavirus in US

Several gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park have tested positive for the coronavirus, becoming the first known apes in the United States and possibly the world to be infected with it. 

Reports said that, two gorillas began coughing last week and have since tested positive for COVID-19, while a third is currently showing symptoms. 

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park has remained closed to the public since early December as part of the state of California's lockdown efforts to check the rise in coronavirus cases.

According to Lisa Peterson, the park's executive director told The Associated Press that eight gorillas who live together there are believed to have contracted the virus. 

He said, aside from some congestion and coughing, the gorillas are doing well, adding they are hopeful for a full recovery. 

The gorillas apparently contracted the infection from a zoo worker who also tested positive but has been asymptomatic. 

Veterinarians are closely monitoring the gorillas and they will remain in their habitat at the park. The gorillas are being given vitamins, fluid and food, but not a special treatment for the virus. 

The gorillas infected at the San Diego Safari Park are western lowland gorillas, whose population declined by more than 60% over the last two decades owing to poaching and disease, according to the World Wildlife Fund. 

The gorillas are the latest animals to be infected with the virus.