Rare Amur Leopard Dying of Cancer at Oregon Zoo

Rare Leopard At Oregon Zoo Dying Of Cancer
By The Associated Press

PORTLAND - A rare Amur leopard at the Oregon Zoo has been diagnosed with cancer and eventually will have to be euthanized, officials said.

Dr. Mitch Finnegan, a zoo veterinarian, said zookeepers noticed in mid-November that the female leopard appeared lethargic and had lost some of her appetite.

Tests and exploratory surgery on the 14-year-old leopard, named Andrea, revealed a tumor in her uterus that had spread into her abdomen.

Finnegan said wild animals instinctively mask symptoms of illness to avoid appearing weak and vulnerable. By the time the illness is discovered, the disease may be advanced, he said.

Finnegan said there is no effective treatment, so zookeepers are trying to keep Andrea as comfortable and as pain-free as possible until they no longer can maintain her quality of life.

The life span of an Amur leopard in captivity is normally about 19 years. Native to eastern Russia, they are considered highly endangered, with only about 60 to 100 left in the wild.

Also known as the Manchurian or Korean leopard, the species has slowly drifted from its original Korean habitat to China and finally to eastern Russia, where zoologists say it is making a last stand. Its habitat is the mountainous area along the Amur River valley of Siberia where habitat destruction and loss of prey species has heavily reduced the leopard population.

"Big cats are so popular, not only with our visitors, but with our staff and volunteers as well, that everyone gets extremely attached," said Tony Vecchio, the zoo director. "Her loss will be felt not just here locally, but worldwide due to the critically endangered status of this species."

Andrea and her brother, named Frederick, arrived at the Oregon Zoo in April 2000 from the Colorado Springs Zoo.

Status: CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
Photo Courtesy of Oregon Zoo