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Sandstone, MN (KROC-AM News) - A tiger living in a Minnesota sanctuary has tested positive for COVID-19.

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health says the Tiger lives at The Wildcat Sanctuary in Pine County where the veterinarian reports the 21-year-old female Sumatran/Bengal Tiger has recovered from the viral illness. A news release indicates the staff first noticed the Tiger displaying symptoms in early January and had it tested using a private laboratory before a specimen was sent to the US Agriculture Department for confirmation.

Officials say this is only the second confirmed COVID-19 case involving a captive or domestic animal in Minnesota. The Board of Animal Health says people with the infection can spread the virus to some animals through close contact and is recommended anyone with a known infection avoid close contact with her parents or other animals.

Officials say, at this point, there is no evidence of the virus being transmitted from pets or wild captive cats to humans. The news release also notes the staff at The Wildcat Sanctuary have been wearing face masks, sanitizing hands, and maintaining physical distance since the beginning of the pandemic. The sanctuary is not open to the public.

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