Edinburgh Zoo has announced the death of a cheetah just two months after its arrival.
On Wednesday morning (October 2), the zoo shared the “sad” news that Cleo the Northeastern cheetah died overnight. The five-year-old big cat passed away “despite the hard work of the vet team and keepers”.
According to staff, Cleo died following a short illness. The exact cause of death remains undetermined, though keepers have suggested liver failure.
Chief Executive of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland David Field commented: “In spite of the best efforts of our veterinary team and specialist animal carers, I’m sorry to say that Cleo passed away last night, following a short illness. We are still trying to establish what the cause of death is but we believe it is related to liver failure.
“We will know more after a post-mortem examination.
“Cleo wasn’t here at Edinburgh Zoo for long but in that time she made an amazing impression on all of the staff, vets, and visitors who met her. She will be sadly missed.”
Cleo arrived at Edinburgh Zoo on August 1 from Fota Wildlife Park in Ireland. As reported by the Daily Record, she was the first cheetah placed at the zoo in 24 years.
Northeastern cheetahs are native to Chad, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. Their wild populations are declining as a result of poaching, illegal wildlife trade, and habitat loss.
Tributes to Cleo have been pouring in on social media. Visitors to Edinburgh Zoo have been sharing their thoughts on the news.
One Facebook user wrote: ” I saw her a couple of weeks ago on a very wet horrible day and she was keeping cosy in her hut. Such a shame. Thinking of everyone.”
A second echoed: “So very sad, thank you to all who cared for her. Thinking of you all.”
More information can be found on the Edinburgh Zoo website.
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