The Chattanooga Zoo announced the death of its long-term resident and friend, Czar the Snow Leopard. After recent health declines urging the zoo’s veterinarian, Dr. Anthony Ashley, along with zoo’s animal care staff to conduct multiple health examinations and monitor behavior, Czar was unable to regain his health and passed away over the weekend.
Medical examinations performed last week showed a possible diagnosis of Bronchopneumonia, cancer, or a fungal disease. A full necropsy report from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, College of Veterinary Medicine will be forthcoming. Full necropsy results will not be available for 4 to 6 weeks.
Czar came to the Chattanooga Zoo over seven years ago from the Pittsburgh Zoo in Pittsburgh. Czar fathered three snow leopard cubs, Renji, Maliha and Everest, with his late companion, Kasimir. He is survived by two of his cubs, Renji and Maliha. Through the zoo’s participation with the AZA’s SSP program, Renji currently resides at the Cincinnati Zoo and Maliha resides at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, RI, as recommended breeding companions.
Darde Long, president and CEO of the Chattanooga Zoo said, “Losing Czar so quickly has come as a huge shock to all of us here at the zoo. We are devastated to have lost such a beautiful and charismatic member of our zoo family.”