The Chattanooga Zoo announces the loss of its long term resident, Kasimir the Snow Leopard. Kasimir passed away after days of continued weight loss and health deterioration. The Chattanooga Zoo is currently awaiting necropsy results from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, College of Veterinary Medicine.
Kasimir was born on May 21, 1999 and was donated to the Chattanooga Zoo from the Roger Williams Park Zoo in 2006. Kasimir, along with her sister Chaney, were the first snow leopards to live in the Chattanooga Zoo’s Himalayan snow leopard exhibit.
At age 16, Kasimir, exceeded the medial life expectancy for this species as described by the Survival Statistics Library of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Kasimir is survived by her long-time partner Czar, and her two female cubs, Renji and Maliha.
In her life, Kasimir, produced two litters of cubs. Her daughters Renji and Maliha were both born at the Chattanooga Zoo and have since been recommended for breeding at other Zoos through the Species Survival Plan. Renji currently resides at the Cincinnati Zoo in Cincinnati, Oh. and Maliha has recently moved to the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, RI.
“Kasimir was one of the sweetest and most intelligent members of our collection,” recalls Chattanooga Zoo President and CEO, Darde Long. "Kasimir will be greatly missed by her caregivers and Zoo guests alike."