US | San Diego Zoo 9 Great Apes Get COVID Vaccine They're the first non-humans to get vaccinated By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Mar 5, 2021 12:07 AM CST Copied This photo provided by the San Diego Zoo shows a female Sumatran orangutan hanging onto her mother, Indah, while foraging for food Friday, Oct. 24, 2014 at the San Diego Zoo. (AP Photo/San Diego Zoo, Ken Bohn) The San Diego Zoo has vaccinated nine great apes for the coronavirus after a troop of gorillas in its Safari Park became infected, the AP reports. Officials say four orangutans and five bonobos received COVID-19 injections in January and February, making them the first non-humans to get vaccinated against the disease. Three bonobos and a gorilla also are expected to receive the vaccine, which CBS News reports is an experimental one made for animals. The vaccinations followed a January outbreak of COVID-19 at the zoo’s Safari Park. Eight western lowland gorillas got the virus, probably by exposure to a zookeeper who tested positive for COVID-19. The gorillas had symptoms ranging from runny noses to coughing and lethargy. But they are recovering. Read These Next Minneapolis shooter had a plan—and grievances. American Taylor Townsend gets an earful after her US Open win. Belichick's girlfriend is embracing 'gold digger' idea. A pregnant 17-year-old died after a road rage shooting. Report an error