The chief veterinarian at the Bronx Zoo says that testing animals for coronavirus is not the same as testing people after it was discovered that a tiger was infected with the virus.

Dr. Paul Calle says the animal samples go to veterinary labs, and do not go to the labs that test people for COVID-19.

He says zoo employees were surprised to discover that 4-year-old Malayan tiger Nadia tested positive. According to the zoo, Nadia became infected by a zoo employee who was infected, but showed no symptoms, while caring for her.

MORE: Tiger at Bronx Zoo tests positive for COVID-19, zoo says 

Calle says he noticed something was wrong 10 days ago when Nadia developed a cough. In the week that followed, four tigers and three lions developed a cough, and some had wheezing and loss of appetite.

He says they collected samples to test Nadia for respiratory illness, including coronavirus. Calle says he hopes that this will alert other zoos and labs to the possibility of animals contracting the disease.

He says he wouldn't be surprised if other tigers and lions got sick.

MORE: LIVE BLOG - Coronavirus updates from the tri-state area and beyond 
TRACKER: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut coronavirus cases and deaths