BY Buddhika SamaraweeraAlthough four apes at the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens were found to be infected with the Covid-19 virus, their behaviour remains unchanged indicating good health, according to the Wildlife Protection, the Adoption of Safety Measures including the Construction of Electrical Fences and Trenches and Reforestation and Forest Resource Development State Ministry. Previously, the National Zoological Gardens Department Director General Ishini Wickramasinghe had stated on 18 June that a lion named Thor at the Dehiwala Zoo had contracted Covid-19. Also, a lioness named Sheena in the Dehiwala Zoo had also contracted Covid- 19 late last month while it was residing with the Covid-19 positive lion Thor. Several attempts to contact Wickramasinghe and the National Zoological Gardens Department Deputy Director General Renuka Bandaranayake to inquire about the matter were unsuccessful. The scientific literature reveals that while humans can transmit the virus to animals, the vice versa does not take place.

Source: The Nation July 20, 2021 18:22 UTC