On Feb. 10, 2021, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories announced confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) in a cougar at a facility that exhibits wild animals in Texas.

Samples from several animals at the facility were taken after showing clinical signs including coughing and wheezing. The animals are expected to fully recover. It is suspected that the large cats acquired the infection from a person working as a team member or volunteer who was positive for COVID-19.

This was the first cougar in the U.S. to be confirmed positive for SARS-CoV-2. A tiger from the same facility was also confirmed positive for the virus.