County confirms animals at the Seneca Park Zoo have gotten COVID-19 vaccine

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — It’s not just people getting the COVID-19 vaccine, zoo animals are too.

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announced Friday the giraffes, lions, the tiger, snow leopards and otters have been fully vaccinated at Seneca Park Zoo.

Today I announced that several of our animals have been vaccinated against COVID-19. The doses were developed and donated by Zoetis, a producer of medicines for pets and livestock. It’s important we do everything we can to protect our animals, staff, and visitors. pic.twitter.com/mmJR6YSQ8v

— Adam J. Bello (@CountyExecBello) October 8, 2021

Other animals, including the lynx and the baboons, will get the shot soon.

Bello said they followed the science in deciding to vaccinate the zoo’s at-risk animals and there have been no harmful side effects.