Zoo tigers assist in virus studies
Two city residents are helping scientists learn more about COVID-19.
The residents aren't people, though, and they live at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo.
Sumatran tigers Bugara and Indah were diagnosed with the disease in February; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was interested.
Each of the big cats had been trained before their diagnosis to donate blood – a process that involves coaxing them into a chute, then convincing them to lie down and slide their tails through a hole in the door. Veterinarian Kami Fox used a syringe to secure the blood while zookeeper Kristin Sliger provided the tigers “an endless supply of meatballs” and goat's milk on the other end of the enclosure.