Oldest surviving Snow Leopard in US Zoo euthanized in Philadelphia
Oldest surviving Snow Leopard in US Zoo euthanized in Philadelphia
New York
Maya, a 16-year-old female leopard and the oldest of her species in any US Zoo was on Thursday euthanized in Philadelphia Zoo due to deteriorating health.
Philadelphia Zoo informed the sad news in a tweet and said “Goodbye to our beautiful snow leopard, Maya.
At 16 years old, she was one of the oldest of her species in any US Zoo.”
Maya was brought to the zoo in 2009 and soon became an independent and confident cat in her enclosure.
Known for her strong presence, Maya also loved and equally demanded attention from her keepers.
She was loved for playful morning greetings and was one of the first cats to Zoo360 trails.
Maya was also the first snow leopard to ever bred cubs at the zoo, with two cubs in 2011 and other twins in 2013.
Her son, Buck is continuing her legacy and genetic line by siring one female cub at Brookfield Zoo in 2020.
Notably, Snow leopards are considered vulnerable by the IUCN with only an estimated 7,000 remaining in the wild.
“Maya was a beloved and important ambassador for her species,” the zoo authorities said while appreciating the efforts of keepers for caring throughout her long life.
