SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Zoo officials say a rare leopard was euthanized at South Bend’s zoo after the 19-year-old animal’s health suddenly worsened.
The Potawatomi Zoo announced Saturday that the Amur leopard, named Sergei, was euthanized after his health rapidly declined due to old age and chronic health issues.
Zoo veterinarian Dr. Ronan Eustace says zoo employees are in mourning but comforted knowing that they helped Sergei live “a long and comfortable life that ended with grace and dignity.”
Sergei had fathered five rare cubs with his zoo mate, Pearl.
Amur leopards are believed to be the Earth’s rarest big cat with only about 40 remaining in the wild. They typically live to be 10 to 15 years old in the wild in their native range throughout northern China and Russia’s far east.
The Potawatomi Zoo issued the following news release regarding the death of the Amur leopard:
It is with heavy hearts that the Potawatomi Zoo shares the loss of our 19-year-old male Amur leopard, Sergei. Zoo staff was faced with the difficult decision to humanely euthanize him after his health started to rapidly decline due to old age and chronic health issues.
Amur leopards are believed to be the rarest big cat with only about 40 remaining in the wild. Sergei spent several years at the Zoo as an ambassador for the Amur leopard species and fathered five rare cubs with mate, Pearl. Amur leopards traditionally live to be 10 to 15 years old in the wild.
“Sergei’s appetite and attitude abruptly declined, prompting an emergency examination, which revealed he was in kidney failure,” says Dr. Ronan Eustace, Zoo Veterinarian. “Based on the severity of his condition, a humane euthanasia was performed.”
“Sergei came to Potawatomi Zoo as part of the Species Survival Program (SSP) developed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums,” stated Marcy Dean, Executive Director of Potawatomi Zoo. “Though he will be profoundly missed, we feel fortunate to have provided him with a long and comfortable life that ended with grace and dignity. He will be remembered not only for his beauty and rarity, but also for his significant contribution to the species.”
The Amur leopard can be found throughout northern China and Russia’s far east. Populations have been decimated by poaching, forest fires, and inbreeding. Sergei’s five cubs are now part of an effort to breed and preserve new generations of the species.
Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Potawatomi Zoo exceeds the standards for zoos in animal care and quality of life, conservation, and education programs. For more information, go to www.potawatomizoo.org or call 574.288.4639.
