Unfortunately, there have been increasing instances of large animals, including lions, tigers, bears, and others, dying suddenly in zoos. However zoo authorities say, the causes of these deaths can vary widely and are not necessarily related to each other or to the conditions in zoos.
Some of the common causes of sudden deaths in large animals include infectious diseases, such as viral or bacterial infections, parasitic infections, or fungal infections. Other causes may include trauma, such as injuries sustained from fighting or accidents, or underlying health conditions such as heart disease.
Vaccinating
Widespread vaccinating of zoo animals for Covid-19 began early in 2021 particularly in cases where animals have been deemed to be at high risk of contracting the virus from their human caretakers.
For example, in January 2021, several great apes at the San Diego Zoo were vaccinated against COVID-19 with an experimental vaccine specifically designed for animals. Similarly, in February 2021, four lions at the Barcelona Zoo were also given COVID-19 vaccines after several staff members tested positive for the virus. Since then the vaccinating of zoo animals has become standard in many countries.
In general, zoo authorities may make announcements or issue statements in response to sudden animal deaths, particularly if there are concerns about the welfare of the animals or the safety of visitors.
In some cases, zoos may also conduct internal investigations or seek outside experts to help determine the cause of sudden animal deaths and identify any potential risks or hazards within their facilities.
It’s worth noting that not all sudden animal deaths in zoos are necessarily a cause for alarm, as many of these events may be due to natural causes or other factors that are difficult to predict or prevent.
Ultimately, it’s up to individual zoos and their governing bodies to determine how best to handle any incidents of increased sudden animal deaths and communicate with the public about these events.