Living Desert Zoo announces death of Kali the cheetah
Incident Date:
11/01/2026
Location:
Palm Desert, CA - USA
Facility Name:
Living Desert Zoo
Facility Type:
Accredited AZA Facility (AZA)
Incident Category:
Animal Death (AD)
Species:
Big Cats
Animal:
Cheetah
Animal disposition:
Dead
Summary:
PALM DESERT, CA – Kali, a 12-year-old cheetah and a favorite at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, died, zoo officials announced Sunday.
The big cat was being treated for kidney disease, “when a routine exam showed that her kidney values were slightly elevated, which is common in aging cats,” zoo officials wrote. “Then, in recent weeks, her care team noticed that she was drinking more water, eating less and showing possible neurological symptoms, so her planned recheck exam was moved up. Sadly, the CT scan revealed kidney failure and a large mass in her skull that was likely affecting her neurologically.
The veterinary team decided to euthanize Kali.
Action take by Born Free USA:
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