Saint Louis Zoo announces death of 17-year-old jaguar
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
ST. LOUIS, Mo., (KBSI) — The Saint Louis Zoo announced the death of Jared, a 17-year-old male jaguar that had lived at the zoo since 2015.
According to zoo officials, Jared’s care team noticed a decline in his appetite in late May. Despite adjustments to his diet and hydration plan, his condition did not improve.
An examination by the zoo’s Animal Health Team revealed that Jared was suffering from kidney failure, a condition officials said is common in older cats both in the wild and in human care.
After evaluating his health and quality of life, zoo staff made the decision to humanely euthanize Jared on June 5.
At 17 years old, Jared had exceeded the typical lifespan of jaguars in the wild, which is generally between 10 and 15 years, according to the zoo.
Zoo officials said Jared was known for carrying bones around his habitat, rolling in fresh-cut lemongrass and spending time lounging in the shade or atop his tower.
The Saint Louis Zoo said Jared will be missed by his care team, the zoo community and visitors who knew him.
Officials said the zoo remains committed to jaguar conservation through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Jaguar Species Survival Plan and Saving Animals From Extinction program. The zoo is exploring future plans for the jaguar habitat.
