Inco the Ocelot Dies Shortly after Her Longtime Companion
Incident Date:
03/12/2026
Location:
Asheboro, NC - USA
Facility Name:
North Carolina Zoo
Facility Type:
Accredited AZA Facility (AZA)
Incident Category:
Animal Death (AD)
Species:
Small Cats
Animal:
Ocelot
Animal disposition:
Dead
Summary:
ASHEBORO, NC – The North Carolina Zoo is mourning the loss of two of its longtime animal residents after announcing the death of its remaining ocelot just days after another animal death at the park.
In a social media post Wednesday, the zoo said its female ocelot, Inca, died at age 21. According to zoo staff, Inca had shown signs of decline following the death of her longtime companion, Diego, who passed in July.
The pair first met in 2006 at the San Francisco Zoo before being moved together to the North Carolina Zoo in 2010. During their years in Asheboro, Inca and Diego produced 10 kittens.
Zoo officials said they do not expect to bring another ocelot to the park in the near future.
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