Akron Zoo mourns loss of Tai Lung the snow leopard
Incident Date:
10/14/2026
Location:
Akron, OH - USA
Facility Name:
Akron Zoo
Facility Type:
Accredited AZA Facility (AZA)
Incident Category:
Animal Death (AD)
Species:
Big Cats
Animal:
Snow Leopard
Animal disposition:
Dead
Summary:
AKRON, OH – Tai Lung, believed to be one of the oldest male snow leopards in captivity, died on Oct. 14. Tai Lung was 17 years and five months old.
It was discovered during an exam that Tai Lung was in the advance stage of kidney failure. The zoo’s animal care team had already been monitoring the snow leopard for kidney disease. Given the new diagnosis and Tai Lung’s progressive mobility issues, zoo spokesperson Elena Bell said the “difficult” decision was made to euthanize him.
Action take by Born Free USA:
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