Endangered Amur Leopard Dies at California Zoo

A critically endangered leopard has died in captivity at a Southern California zoo.

Following the Thanksgiving holiday, the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert, Calif. announced the death of Zoya, their 21-year-old Amur leopard, one of the oldest of her kind in captivity. 

“Not only was she a cherished member of our Zoo family, she was also beloved by visitors from around the world,” zoo officials said in a statement on Monday, Dec. 2.

The “much-loved” big cat could often be seen enjoying the “lush trees” or “the tall rocks” in her enclosure, the zoo added.

According to World Wildlife, it is estimated that less than 90 Amur leopards remain worldwide. “They live for 10-15 years [in the wild], and in captivity up to 20 years,” according to the organization.

An exact date of Zoya’s death was not given, but Living Desert Zoo and Gardens shared photos of several hand-written messages from visitors in their tribute to the beloved Amur leopard, which were written last week. 

“In this time of thanksgiving, we reflect on Zoya’s extraordinary legacy with profound gratitude. We know she inspired countless people to develop a passion for wildlife and conservation, brought attention to a critically endangered species, and sparked joy in everyone who had the privilege of knowing her,” zoo officials wrote.

“We are deeply thankful for Zoya’s devoted care team, who provided her with exceptional care each and every day,” the statement continued. “Her longevity is a testament to their expertise and dedication. And, finally, we are grateful to you — our community — for sharing in Zoya’s journey and ensuring her legacy will endure.”

Zoo officials asked guests and staff to honor Zoya’s memory by enjoying “the little things in life – as she did.”

“Spend some time observing your natural surroundings. Be playful. Appreciate those special, tranquil moments throughout the day,” the zoo continued.

Just one week before the zoo announced Zoya’s death, they shared a post titled “Celebrating Our Golden Girls,” highlighting the older animals at the non-profit.

Zoya was included in the tribute, along with a golden eagle named Olympia in her mid-thirties, and 22-year-old Dadisi, “the matriarch of The Living Desert’s giraffe herd.”

The Amur leopard had been part of The Living Desert family for nearly 10 years, according to the post. She was described as having a “calm and majestic presence,” and had “surpassed both the life expectancy of Amur leopards in the wild (10-15 years) and in human care (15-20 years).”

One of Zoya’s many talents was that she was trained to drink on cue, which helped to “support her overall health and allow for stress-free healthcare procedures.”

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Zoo staff said vets were closely monitoring Zoya’s health and discomfort levels to make certain her quality of life wasn’t diminishing. 

“Despite her age and decreasing kidney function, Zoya is very spry and athletic, able to navigate her lush habitat with ease – often jumping up high for a better vantage point. Zoya thoroughly enjoys chewing on her bone and is still eager to engage with guests at the window,” the zoo wrote.