“..the aim of our study was to investigate the possibility of natural infection by SARS-CoV-2 of free-living and captive wild animals within their ecological niche. ..Based on the gained results, we conclude that during the investigated period (June 2020-March 2021), no SARS CoV-2 virus transmission from infected people or potentially contaminated environment to free-living wild animals included in the study occurred. Our conclusion also refers to in-contact zoo animals regardless of the fact that we collected samples during the ongoing second COVID-19 wave in Croatia when the animals were in contact with infected zoo workers. This demonstrates that the animal–human transmission of SARS CoV-2 is uncommon.
