AKRON, Ohio - The Akron Zoo announced on Thursday that their five African Lions received presumptive positive test results for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

The Akron Zoo said in a statement posted to social media that their lion care team recently noticed some mild coughing, sneezing and decreased appetite in a few of the lions. Fecal samples were collected and sent to the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, where the lions tested "presumptive positive."

The zoo states that the lions do not pose a transmission threat to zoo visitors and said, "There is currently no data showing that zoo animals have transmitted the virus to humans, unlike the documented transmission of humans to animals."

Additionally, the zoo states that their habitat design and use of glass throughout the park protects the animals and guests from exposure to each other while in their habitats.

Exposure is believed to be from a staff member who later tested positive for COVID-19.

The Zoo said, out of an abundance of caution, they also sent fecal samples for testing of all the big cats, including the Sumatran tigers, snow leopards and jaguar. These samples tested negative.

The zoo said that the use of PPE and safety protocols were already required in all animal care areas, but they will be add to these safety measures.