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Topeka Zoo Cheetah Euthanized Following Irreparable Spine Damage

Incident Date:
09/24/2025
Location:
Topeka, KS - USA
Facility Name:
Topeka Zoo
Facility Type:
Accredited AZA Facility (AZA)
Incident Category:
Animal Death (AD)
Species:
Small Cats
Animal:
Cheetah
Animal disposition:
Dead

Summary:

TOPEKA, KS – The Topeka Zoo announced on Sept. 24 that one of their cheetah’s, Leopold, had severe spinal damage that could not be corrected, and has since been put down.

Staff at the Topeka Zoo noticed on Sept. 18 that the cheetah was walking with tenderness around his hind legs, and after a few days of rest and treatment, his condition worsened. After a CT scan on Sunday, it was revealed that Leopold has a fractured vertebra, which required corrective surgery.

The BluePearl Specialty & Emergency Vet Hospital in Overland Park discovered during his surgery that the damage could not be repaired. The Topeka Zoo believes that Leopold sustained his injury while inside his enclosure on Wednesday. He is survived by littermate Roosevelt, who arrived with him at the zoo earlier this summer.

Action take by Born Free USA:

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