Since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the WHO on March 11, 2020, the disease initially only affected humans, but quickly spread to animals, with the first reported case in a domestic cat in Belgium shortly after. This led to outbreaks in mink farms across Europe and raised concerns about the possibility of a secondary wildlife reservoir for the virus. Researchers have documented this human-to-animal transmission, termed spillback or reverse zoonotic transmission, which can allow pathogens to evolve and spread in new ways. This phenomenon poses a significant threat to wildlife, particularly endangered species like great apes, which can suffer from diseases carried by humans or domesticated animals. The implications of these findings underscore the importance of understanding cross-species disease transmission to prevent future pandemics. Enhanced protection for all species is crucial to mitigate risks associated with emerging infectious diseases.