Chennai, 8th June 2021: After lion, coronavirus has now been found in elephants. It has been confirmed in not one but 28 elephants. Corona test of elephants was done in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve of Tamil Nadu. On Tuesday, 28 elephants tested positive. Samples of 26 adults and 2 calves from Theppakadu camp have been sent to Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izzatnagar, Uttar Pradesh.

The elephants were tested as a precaution. There had been a stir among the officials after nine lions tested Covid-19 positive. At the same time, a lioness succumbed to the virus on June 3rd at the Chennai Zoo.
“The samples have been sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Uttar Pradesh. All the elephants in the age group of two to 60 years were tested, the result is awaited” said, the forest official.

Dr. K Rajesh Kumar the  Forest Veterinarian of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve said that when the elephants laid down, samples were collected from their trunk and rectum. He said most of the elephants cooperated. This was a screening process and none of them were suspected of having the virus.