The Chattanooga Zoo staff says they are honored to be the voice and a supporting ambassador for the endangered snow leopard. The Chattanooga Zoo has housed this species since 2006, and has served as breeding grounds for multiple cub births. Due to the fact that snow leopard births in captivity are extremely rare, and only 30% of cubs survive the birth process, the Chattanooga Zoo staff says they feel very blessed to have had such success.
The snow leopard species as a whole is highly endangered, with approximately only 3,500 to 7,000 leopards left in the wild. The Chattanooga Zoo works offers education programs and awareness opportunities, participating in multiple conservation partnerships, and other initiatives to save this animal in the wild.
The Chattanooga Zoo, an active participant and partner of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’s Species Survival Plan program for snow leopards, works to breed genetically healthy zoo populations of snow leopards and save their native habitat through awareness and education efforts. The SSP works as a population management program for selected endangered species in accredited Zoos and Aquariums across the United States.
Through a strong partnership with the Snow Leopard Trust, the Chattanooga Zoo has had the opportunity to be submerged in the ongoing research and studies to help save the snow leopard. The Chattanooga Zoo offers an annual monetary donation to the organization to purchase much needed equipment for in-field research. Through this research, the Snow Leopard Trust works to understand the snow leopard, while building relationships with local communities in five Central Asian countries in order to educate the locals and help supply their needs. Through these developed relationships, the Snow Leopard Trust and its partners are able to determine the best ways to protect the endangered snow leopard in its natural habitat.
The Chattanooga Zoo’s resident snow leopard Czar is 9 1/2 years old. He came from the Pitttsburg Zoo and has made his home at the Chattanooga Zoo for over 7 years. Since he came to Chattanooga, Czar has fathered three cubs with his late companion, Kasimir. As a middle-aged snow leopard, Czar has always maintained good overall health. (The median life expectancy for snow leopards in captivity is 14.5 years. source: www.aza.org) Other than some issues with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, his health has always been excellent. IBD is very common in large exotic cats and is easily controlled by administering daily doses of prednisone. Daily, the Chattanooga Zoo staff administers this drug to Czar with constant monitoring due to side effects that can cause the user to be vulnerable to other illnesses, and again Czar proved that his health is not a worry.
In December 2014, the Chattanooga Zoo, with the help of the Zoo’s veterinarian, Dr. Anthony Ashley of The Animal Clinic, performed a routine physical with blood work testing on Czar. Czar passed all health inspections flawlessly. However, recently, odd behavior was noticed from Czar’s primary keeper, Betsy Budreau. As a Zookeeper at the Chattanooga Zoo, one of Ms. Budreau’s main responsibilities is to monitor the animals’ behaviors that she cares for, and report anything out of the ordinary. Immediately, Ms. Budreau alerted the Zoo’s Veterinarian Technician Lacey Hickle and General Curator Stacy Laberdee about Czar’s behavior. After closely observing Czar, his other keeper Jaimie Landenburg reported unusual heavy breathing on Monday. A decision was made to sedate Czar and perform radiography and blood tests. Tests showed no conclusive results and Czar’s condition worsened. On Wednesday, Czar was rushed to RIVER (Regional Institute for Veterinary Emergencies and Referrals) for further examinations. There the staff assisted Dr. Ashley and the Chattanooga Zoo staff to perform a Computerized Tomography Scan procedure along with more blood tests. Blood work results from both Monday and Wednesday came back normal. However, the CT scan showed lung abnormalities, with a possible diagnosis of Bronchopneumonia, cancer, or a fungal disease. Further tests are pending for diagnosis confirmation.
Dr. Ashley and the Chattanooga Zoo animal care staff have wasted no time beginning aggressive treatment for all possibilities found in the preliminary results. They have high hopes that Czar will be able to fight through this illness and will achieve a quick and healthy recovery with the help of our veterinarian team and animal care staff.
Dr. Ashley and the Chattanooga Zoo staff would like to express their gratitude to the staff at RIVER for their assistance and support during this unpredicted emergency, and for allowing their team to use their facilities as needed. “From the minute we made the phone call to RIVER, their staff was so welcoming and supportive,” says Chattanooga Zoo General Curator Stacy Laberdee. “They were willing to do all it would take to better the health of Czar, just as if he were their own.” Thank you, RIVER, for your support and your compassion for all animals.
Czar has always had a friendly demeanor and outgoing personality towards his keepers, companions, and Zoo guests. According to his caretakers, this character trait is unusual in snow leopards, and it makes him one of the Zoo’s most well-liked animals by guests and staff alike. Since Czar’s late companion, Kasimir, passed away, he has longed for companionship, until recently. The Chattanooga Zoo is proud to announce the arrival of a new companion for Czar in Calli the snow leopard. Calli, almost 2 years old, came to the Chattanooga Zoo last month from the Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard, Ks. Through the SSP, Calli was recommended as a breeding companion for Czar. Since her arrival, Calli has become acquainted to her new home, her new keepers, and of course, Czar.
"It is common for snow leopard couples to not get along. However, Czar has always loved companionship and we believe that having a new companion and being under the best health care available, Czar’s health will improve drastically, allowing this couple the chance of reproduction," officials said. "At this time, Czar will be off exhibit until his health has been completely restored. and since Calli is still getting comfortable with her new exhibit, it may be difficult for you to catch a glimpse of either snow leopard for some time. However, we do encourage all of our Zoo supporters to keep Czar in your thoughts as he rests, and to come visit Calli as she continues to grow fonder of her new home here in Chattanooga."
“The great team we have at the Zoo right now continues to amaze me,” states Darde Long, Chattanooga Zoo president and CEO. “Each and every staff member plays a vital role in the care for our animals, and I am confident Czar is in the best care possible, and will have a complete recovery with Calli by his side.”
Follow the Chattanooga Zoo on social media for updates on Czar and Calli the snow leopards.