Tiger dies of COVID days after showing symptoms at Ohio zoo. ‘Jupiter was an icon’

A 14-year-old tiger at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio has died of COVID-19 just days after he began showing symptoms.

Jupiter, who came to the United States in 2015 after being born in Russia, is the first animal at the Columbus Zoo to die of COVID-19, the zoo shared on social media on Wednesday, June 29.

Zoo officials said Jupiter showed signs of acting ill on Wednesday, June 22, when he was not interested in eating, was reluctant to stand and was not interacting with his keepers. He was anesthetized for examination the following day when his symptoms continued.

Exams showed Jupiter had an infection, but his condition did not improve even after treatment began. Jupiter died on Sunday, June 26, according to the zoo.

His official cause of death is being ruled as pneumonia caused by COVID-19. Jupiter was more susceptible to the coronavirus because of a chronic underlying illness, according to the zoo.

“Jupiter’s care team remembers him as a big and impressive tiger who loved fish, sleeping in the habitat’s cave, playing with cardboard boxes, and interacting with another favorite item — a 75-pound firehouse ‘plus sign’ that was heavy for keepers to move but something he carried around like it weighed nothing,” the zoo said. “His care team also fondly remembers the trust they built with Jupiter over time through training and how he was always very friendly with the female tigers, Mara and Natasha.”

Staff members at the zoo who work with animals most susceptible to COVID-19 are now being required to wear masks when they are within 6 feet of the animals.

Jupiter, born in 2007 at the Moscow Zoo, is an Amur tiger who sired nine cubs, including six at the Columbus Zoo. The zoo said he “will be greatly missed” and asked visitors to share their favorite memories of the tiger.

“Jupiter was an icon and I still have pictures of him in his man cave on my phone!” one zoo visitor said. “I love him dearly & all my condolences to the Asia quest staff.”

“He was a beautiful tiger,” said another zoo guest. “I remember the first time my family saw him after he arrived at the zoo, we were so shocked about how loud he was!! I’m so sorry for your loss.”

This story was originally published June 30, 2022 at 6:36 AM with the headline "Tiger dies of COVID days after showing symptoms at Ohio zoo. ‘Jupiter was an icon’."