Calgary Zoo and Wilder Institute begin animal vaccination
Posted April 7, 2022 3:42 pm.
Last Updated April 8, 2022 9:39 am.
By this time we’ve all heard one of the safest ways to stop the spread of COVID-19 is to get vaccinated – but what about our pets? And bigger still, what about our zoo animals?
The Wilder Institute and the Calgary Zoo have begun vaccinating a total of 66 animals against COVID-19, including their two Amur tigers, two western lowland gorillas, a snow leopard, a Bactrian camel and some of their lemurs.
All animals have been arranged and selected based on their Animal Care, Health and Wellness (ACHW) team’s risk-benefit analysis.
The Calgary Zoo has been updating their animals’ injection skills in preparation for the vaccinations so the animals can participate in their health care, while they created detailed plans for those who have yet to receive their injection training before getting vaccinated.
RELATED: Winnipeg Zoo giving COVID-19 vaccine to 55 animals including tigers and snow leopards
Infectious disease veterinarian Dr. Scott Weese says that’s a good move. “The main ones we’re paying attention to are the non-human primates; so gorillas, apes, the ones that are very close-related to us, because we know we can get severe disease obviously, and we think they can get a similar severe disease.” Weese adds, “The other group is the big cats: lions, tigers, cheetahs.”
Edmonton Valley Zoo Communications tells CityNews they have yet to receive a shipment of the same Zoetis COVID-19 vaccine used by the Wilder Institute and the Calgary Zoo.
Until they do all zoo staff must wear masks near and in contact with the animals and the public is not allowed to touch the animals – no matter how cute they are.
Amur tiger at the Calgary zoo waiting to get a COVID-19 vaccine. (Photo: CityNews)
What about the furry friends that live in our homes? Is vaccination from COVID-19 necessary? Probably not, says Alberta Veterinary Medical Association President Dr. Daren Mandrusiak.
Mandrusiak tells CityNews that “for some pets, and dogs it’s probably not super relevant and probably unnecessary. Maybe for cats or ferrets or different species like that, it may be beneficial. I think that’s a decision to be made with every individual pet and every individual veterinarian.”
Dr. Mandrusiak says there is no readily available COVID-19 vaccine for pets yet, but the risk of pets getting sick from COVID-19 is lower than their human owners. One more important note: Dr. Mandrusiak says if your pet has gotten its coronavirus shot, it’s not the same as the COVID-19 vaccine. Always refer back to your veterinarian for your pet’s medical advice.
