LAHORE: The two white tiger cubs that died a fortnight ago in Lahore Zoo were suspected of having coronavirus, said a senior zoo official on Saturday while referring to their autopsy report.

However, the official told Dawn that the report did not confirm the presence of the virus, as it was just a suspicion based on the confirmation of severe multisystem infection.

Also, 31 doctors and veterinary staff of the zoo were tested for coronavirus and six of them were found asymptomatic pat­ients of Covid-19 and were sent on leave, Lahore Zoo Deputy Director Kiran Saleem said.

All animals and birds at the zoo are also under observation on the suspicion of being asymptomatic. However, the observation period of most of the animals since the death of the white tiger cubs on Jan 30 is almost complete.

The doctors and veterinary staff at the zoo have been paying extraordinary attention to the wellbeing of the animals and birds amid coronavirus pandemic.

Six of 31 doctors, staff at Lahore zoo found asymptomatic

According to a report regarding the death of the cubs issued by the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, the presence of coronavirus in the cubs is only a suspicion. The deputy director said the autopsy findings showed both were suspected of having Covid-19 but for the zoo it was difficult to ascertain whether they had the virus or it was just suspected.

The report said the cubs had severe multisystem infection, Ms Saleem added.

Findings

The necropsy report (No UVP 636, dated 30-01-2021, issued by the UVAS on the post-mortem findings of the two cubs) stated the cubs’ body conditions were good in general indicating good management. On opening body, severe enteritis and gastritis were found, it said. “No feed inside, as stomach was empty. Liver, kidney and spleen were normal. Urinary bladder was normal. Lungs were congested and left side was completely consolidated and hepatized. Right side was congested and patchy consolidations found. Inflammatory exudates found inside. Heart was having small haemorrhages. Tracheal congestion and haemorrhages. Lesions indicating severe infection and septicemia. The tentative diagnosis in the report says severe multisystem infection (suspected for Covid-19 infection).”

In response to a question, she said the zoo after the death of the two cubs was left with seven white tigers and two brown Bengal tigers.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2021