The endangered great apes were subjected to the tests because several employees of a reintroduction center and a sanctuary on the island of Borneo had been infected with the virus, according to the nature conservation authority of the province of Sabah. Vets in protective suits took on the difficult task of examining the red-haired monkeys with a nasal swab on Tuesday last week. However, all tests were negative.
Infection could delay release
Corona tests are just as important for the orangutan population on Borneo as they are for us humans, said the deputy head of the nature conservation authority, Sen Nathan. A corona infection could make the monkeys very sick “and delay their release”. The vets should therefore continue to watch the orangutans carefully and test them regularly.
Animals can also become infected
Animals are also occasionally infected with the coronavirus. A zoo in the US metropolis of Atlanta announced over the weekend that several of its gorillas had tested positive. Domestic cats, dogs and at least one ferret have also been shown to be infected.
Orangutans are critically endangered
Orangutans are on the list of endangered species of the World Conservation of Nature Union (IUCN). On the island of Borneo, which is divided between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, the population has shrunk by more than half in the past 60 years. The main cause is the destruction of the habitat of the tree-dwelling apes due to the deforestation of the forests.