The Smithsonian’s National Zoo began administering the first round of COVID-19 vaccines to susceptible species at the facility on Wednesday, October 13, according to a release from the Zoo.
The animal-specific vaccine shots produced by Zoetis were given to seven orangutans, one western lowland gorilla, one white-eared titi monkey and two emperor tamarins.
Keepers at the Zoo are observing the vaccinated animals to see if they are experiencing any side effects. They haven’t reported any so far.
A video released by the Zoo showed a number of orangutans receiving the COVID-19 vaccine from primate keeper Erin Stromberg and being rewarded with honey afterwards.
The animals will also receive a second dose of the vaccine in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, a group of lions and tigers which were previously diagnosed with possible COVID-19 continue to recover from the infectious disease. They have returned to behaving, eating and drinking normally.