An elderly jaguar at Zoo Miami has died, zoo officials said.
Nieve, a 19-year-old female jaguar, showed signs of lethargy and poor appetite, according to Zoo Miami. Once her symptoms worsened, veterinary staff immobilized her to perform tests. They determined the large cat was suffering from renal failure, a condition not uncommon for a cat at an advanced age.
The average lifespan of a jaguar in the wild is 12-14 years old. Based on Nieve's age, the staff at Zoo Miami elected to humanely euthanize her due to poor prognosis for recovery.
"Although Nieve came to Zoo Miami just four years ago on a breeding recommendation, she quickly became a keeper favorite," a press release from the zoo said. "Her keepers will miss her profoundly and feel fortunate to have been given the opportunity to care for her."
