Ohio – On June 29, the Columbus Zoo announced the unexpected death of a 14-year-old Amur tiger named Jupiter. According to a release from the zoo, Jupiter contracted Covid-19 and died on Sunday, June 26. The zoo stated:
Jupiter had been on long term treatment for chronic underlying illnesses, which made him more susceptible to this virus. Jupiter is the first animal at the Columbus Zoo to succumb to COVID-19.
Jupiter initially showed signs of illness on June 22. When the symptoms continued into the following day, the tiger was anesthetized for examination and treatment. The exam revealed signs of an infection, but Jupiter didn’t respond to the treatment and passed away two days later.
Jupiter was born at the Moscow Zoo in 2007 and arrived at the Columbus Zoo in 2015. He sired nine cubs, contributing to the future of this endangered species.
The zoo said:
Jupiter’s care team remembers him as a big and impressive tiger who loved fish, sleeping in the habitat’s cave, playing with cardboard boxes, and interacting with another favorite item—a 75-pound firehouse “plus sign” that was heavy for keepers to move but something he carried around like it weighed nothing. His care team also fondly remembers the trust they built with Jupiter over time through training and how he was always very friendly with the female tigers, Mara and Natasha.
Jupiter will be greatly missed.
According to a prior news release from the zoo, animals at the Columbus Zoo were vaccinated against Covid-19 in late 2021.
