Prague Zoo shuts exhibit to protect primates

Prague Zoo has announced it is closing its popular "Indonesian Jungle" exhibit from Saturday as there is a risk of the orangutan and the macaque monkeys catching Covid-19 from visitors.

In the exhibit, which this correspondent knows well, visitors first walk through a mock cave where bats fly overhead, before emerging into an Indonesian rainforest with various animals including an orangutan and several macaques.

The exhibit housing the lemurs will also be closed.

Zoo director Miroslav Bobek said that as primates, the animals were at risk of contracting Covid-19 from visitors, who are not separated from the animals by glass.

The Czech Republic has so far recorded 45,228 coronavirus infections and 494 related deaths.