An elderly tiger called Sabrina has tested positive for Covid at the animal sanctuary where she lives. Sabrina, a 21 year-old Bengal tigress, displayed breathing difficulties earlier this month, prompting staff at the Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone, Minnesota, to perform a Covid test.

She tested positive for the virus, and made a full recovery after sanctuary staff cared for her. Other big cats living at the sanctuary – including lions, tigers and cougars – also displayed symptoms. Staff did not test those animals Covid, because they are younger and at less risk of serious symptoms.

All those other animals have also since recovered. It is unclear how Sabrina caught Covid, although scientists say people infected with the virus can spread it to animals. They have advised anyone suffering from Covid-like symptoms to try and socially-distance from their pets, to avoid passing on the virus.

Domestic cats and dogs, and even gorillas are known to have caught the virus, which appears to be less deadly for animals than humans.

The US has recorded more than 25.5million Covid infections, and over 422,500 deaths, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.

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