No Laughing Matter: Hyenas at Denver Zoo Test Positive for COVID-19

Last month, 11 Denver Zoo lions and two tigers—Yuri and Nikita—tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, the first round of animals to contract the disease. Since then, both Yuri and Nikita have made a complete recovery and all 11 lions are either fully recovered, or have shown decreasing viral levels, according to the zoo.

The Denver Zoo announced on Friday that two hyenas—22-year-old Ngozi and 23-year-old Kibo—tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans.

"Animal Care staff describe that both animals have extremely mild symptoms, including slight lethargy, some nasal discharge and occasional coughs," the Zoo noted in a release.

At the same time, the hyenas "have maintained normal energy levels, and interaction with enrichment and their keepers."

Today we confirmed that two of our hyenas—Ngozi, 22, and Kibo, 23—tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. The results were confirmed at the CSU Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Fort Collins, CO, as well as the @USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratory.
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— Denver Zoo (@DenverZoo) November 5, 2021

Ngozi and Kibo's SARS-CoV-2 cases are believed to be the first confirmed in hyenas.

Both hyenas are expected to make a full recovery.