Chester, the Seneca Park Zoo's male lion, tests positive for COVID

Chester, the Seneca Park Zoo's male African lion, has tested positive for COVID-19, according to zoo officials.

Symptoms, including a mild cough and decreased appetite, were observed by zoo staff who decided to test the large cat. Cornell Animal Health Diagnostic Center confirmed with a PCR test, which is performed using a fecal sample to detect virus RNA.

“Chester continues to do well and has mild symptoms," said Dr. Chris McKinney, veterinarian at Seneca Park Zoo. "Given the lions social structure, we can assume the female lions have been exposed as well, but they have displayed no obvious symptoms to date."

McKinney said that the veterinary staff will continue to monitor bloodwork and zookeepers are closely watching for any additional symptoms.”

All of the Seneca Park Zoo's cats are vaccinated (and boosted) for COVID. Anyone working within 6 feet is required to wear a KN95 mask, as well as gloves for food preparation.

Chester, who is 12 years old, moved to Rochester from an animal park in South Africa in 2011 with the zoo's two adult female lions, Asha and Zuri. The trio live in the Animals of the Savannah section at the zoo.

The Seneca Park Zoo this week is closed to the public through Friday due to ongoing construction projects. The zoo is set to reopen Saturday, Dec. 17. After the closure, the zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with last zoo entry at 3 p.m. for its winter hours, which run through the end of March. The zoo is not open on Christmas or New Year's Day.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Seneca Park Zoo lion tests positive for COVID