On Nov. 5, 2021, the USDA’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories announced confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 in two spotted hyenas at a zoo in Colorado. These were the first hyenas confirmed with the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide.

Samples from a variety of species at the zoo, including the hyenas, were collected and tested after lions at the facility showed signs of illness. In addition to the two hyenas, eleven lions and two tigers at the zoo also tested positive for the virus.