Barriers put in place last year around the habitat he occupies, which were intended to create space between the tiger and his visitors, will be removed next week now that he has received both doses, university officials said.
Mike VII is one of several large mammals who has been vaccinated against COVID-19. After the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use last December, the animal health company Zoetis began sharing its experimental vaccine for select animals believed to be at risk of contracting COVID-19.
A live tiger mascot at Louisiana State University received his second COVID-19 vaccine dose earlier this month, university officials said Monday. Above, a Malayan tiger cub is photographed in its enclosure at the Bronx Zoo in New York on April 27, 2017.In April 2020, the Bronx Zoo in New York said one of its tigers tested positive for the virus and several of its other large cats appeared to have symptoms similar to those of the infected tiger.
Zoetis began donating some of its experimental doses in January after the gorillas in San Diego tested positive, and it has continued to share vaccines intended to protect large animals from the virus in the months since. The experimental vaccines were"authorized for experimental use on a case by case basis" by state veterinarians and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to Zoetis.
As of Monday, LSU said Mike VII had not experienced any negative side effects in connection with the vaccine doses he received, but the school added that the tiger will continue to be watched by those charged with caring for him.account shared a photo of the tiger and words of encouragement for LSU students to get vaccines of their own.Be like Mike! Got my COVID-19 vaccine.