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Calgary zoo animals get first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

A tiger at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo gets vaccinated against COVID-19 April 7, 2022. Courtesy: Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo

Just as Canada begins offering fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccines for humans, some zoo animals are getting their first shots.

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo said it received vaccinations this week and began inoculating some of their furry inhabitants.

Two western lowland gorillas, a snow leopard, two tigers, a Bactrian camel and some lemurs were the first of 66 animals to get their first shots.

They’ll be vaccinated three times, with a refresher vaccine in a year. All the animals that will be vaccinated were selected based on a risk-benefit analysis by the zoo’s animal care, health and welfare team.

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In preparation for the vaccinations, vets have been refreshing their animals’ injection training so the animals can participate in their health care.

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For animals that don’t have injection training, they have created detailed plans to provide them with vaccine protection.

Click to play video: 'Canadian zoos eagerly await COVID-19 vaccine shipment for animals'
Canadian zoos eagerly await COVID-19 vaccine shipment for animals

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