The aquarium announced Sunday that it had tested the otters after “showing mild breathing symptoms, including sneezing, runny nose, mild lethargy and coughing.”
The seven creatures are not exhibited. Despite being geriatric, they are improving and are expected to fully recover, the aquarium said.
“Our Asian otters with small claws are closely monitored by veterinarians and members of the animal care team,” said Dr. Tonya Clauss, vice president of animal and environmental health at Georgia Aquarium, said. “We provide supportive care as needed so they can eat, rest and recover.”
The aquarium suspects the otters got the infection from an asymptomatic staff member and it tested all the staff who were in contact with them. The animals have no direct contact with guests and are always separated from them by acrylic barriers, the aquarium said.
“The otters will continue to be monitored and once they are no longer positive for COVID-19, it will be determined when they return to the exhibition,” the statement read.
This is the first time Georgia Aquarium has tested one of its animals for Covid-19, but it is not the first time an animal has been positive.
In December, three snow leopards tested positive for coronavirus at the Louisville Zoo. Thousands of mink have died on fur farms in Utah and Wisconsin after a series of coronavirus outbreaks. A small number of cats and dogs also tested positive during the entire pandemic.