Zoos, scientists aim to curb people giving virus to animals

Around the world, scientists and veterinarians are racing to protect animals from the coronavirus

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Around the world, scientists and veterinarians are racing to protect animals from the coronavirus — often using the same playbook for minimizing disease spread among people.

That includes social distancing, health checks and a vaccine for some zoo animals. A 28-year-old orangutan at San Diego Zoo Safari Park became the world’s first ape to receive a COVID-19 vaccine on Jan. 26.

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Conservationists are worried about the virus spreading among wild great apes, but aren’t currently planning a vaccination campaign.

Instead, they are going to extreme measures to ensure that human trackers and researchers visiting the animals aren’t spreading disease.

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