Leopards at Nebraska zoo die of COVID-19

AAPPress Association
Camera IconThree snow leopards at The Lincoln Children's Zoo in Nebraska have died from COVID-19. (file) Credit: AP

Three snow leopards have died at the Lincoln Children's Zoo in the US state of Nebraska of complications from COVID-19.

The zoo made the announcement in a Facebook post on Saturday, describing the deaths of the three leopards - named Ranney, Everest, and Makalu - as "truly heartbreaking".

The zoo began treating the leopards and two Sumatran tigers for the virus last month.

The tigers, Axl and Kumar, had made a recovery.

The zoo said it remained open to the public and continues to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to humans and animals.

Zoos across the country, including at the St Louis Zoo and the Denver Zoo, have battled outbreaks among their animals.

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