Denver Zoo’s 13-year-old clouded leopard euthanized after health decline
DENVER (KDVR) — A 13-year-old female clouded leopard was humanely euthanized at the Denver Zoo after a significant decline in health.
The zoo posted about the news on its Facebook on Thursday.
Lovingly known as Lisu, the leopard had several medical conditions that the animal care and veterinary teams at the Denver Zoo were managing. However, Lisu experienced a decline in health over the past two weeks.
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“This decision was made to relieve Lisu of any suffering given her poor prognosis and she passed peacefully, surrounded by those who loved and cared for her throughout her life,” said the Denver Zoo on Facebook.
A 13-year-old clouded leopard named Lisu was humanely euthanized at the Denver Zoo after a decline in health. (Denver Zoo) A 13-year-old clouded leopard named Lisu was humanely euthanized at the Denver Zoo after a decline in health. (Denver Zoo) A 13-year-old clouded leopard named Lisu was humanely euthanized at the Denver Zoo after a decline in health. (Denver Zoo) A 13-year-old clouded leopard named Lisu was humanely euthanized at the Denver Zoo after a decline in health. (Denver Zoo) A 13-year-old clouded leopard named Lisu was humanely euthanized at the Denver Zoo after a decline in health. (Denver Zoo)
According to the zoo, Lisu was born at the Nashville Zoo on March 19, 2011, and later moved to Denver as a part of the zoo’s Species Survival Plan and for the opening of the Toyota Elephant Passage exhibit.
“In addition to being a wonderful member of our animal family, she also was an incredible ambassador for her elusive and vulnerable species and birthed two cubs while at Denver Zoo,” said the zoo.
The Denver Zoo said Lisu developed a very rare allergy to several types of meat, which became a serious problem as Lisu was an obligate carnivore.
The vet, nutrition and animal care team addressed the issue and spent tireless hours caring for Lisu, and she lived several happy and healthy years in the zoo’s care, said the Denver Zoo.
Zoo caretakers remember Lisu
The Denver Zoo said the sudden loss has been hard on the staff, and especially on those who cared for Lisu over her life.
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The zoo shared some words from those who knew Lisu best.
“We called her ‘Princess Lisu’ because the spots on her forehead formed a perfect tiara, and it could not have been more fitting to her personality. I’m honored to have cared for Lisu throughout her entire life – we even shared a memorable milestone of becoming moms together in the same year,” said lead animal care specialist Molly K.
“She was a love bug, showing much affection for her keepers, requiring our undivided attention, even if it meant dropping everything, we were doing to provide it. She was also the epitome of a cat, able to become aloof and independent in an instant according to her prerogative,” said animal care specialist Erik B.
The zoo invited anyone who had a special memory or words for Lisu to leave them on their Facebook post.
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