3 snow leopards with COVID-19 die at Nebraska zoo

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Three snow leopards have died at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo in Nebraska of complications from COVID-19.

The zoo made the announcement in a Facebook post on Friday, describing the deaths of the three leopards named Ranney, Everest, and Makalu as “truly heartbreaking.” Staff at the zoo began treating the leopards and two Sumatran tigers for the virus last month. Both tigers, Axl and Kumar, have made what appears to be a full recovery.

Lincoln Children’s Zoo said it remains open to the public and continues to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to humans and animals.

Zoos across the country, including at the St. Louis Zoo and the Denver Zoo, have battled COVID-19 outbreaks among their animals.