Multiple big cats at the Bronx Zoo have coronavirus. This information was confirmed Sunday from the USDA:

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories has confirmed SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans) in one tiger at a zoo in New York. This is the first instance of a tiger being infected with COVID-19. Samples from this tiger were taken and tested after several lions and tigers at the zoo showed symptoms of respiratory illness.

ABC News reports: “The 4-year-old Malayan tiger named Nadia — and six other tigers and lions that have also fallen ill — are believed to have been infected.” It is taxing to test the tigers, so only Nadia was tested, “Since all tigers and lions were exhibiting similar respiratory symptoms, the attending veterinarian felt it was in the best interest of the animals to limit the potential risks of general anesthesia to one tiger for diagnostics.”

Public health officials believe these large cats became sick after being exposed to a zoo employee who was actively shedding virus. The zoo has been closed to the public since mid-March, and the first tiger began showing signs of sickness on March 27.

All of the tigers are expected to recover and no other animals at the zoo appear to be impacted.

An important note from National Geographic:

“According to the USDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is currently no evidence that animals can spread the novel coronavirus to people.”