Cheetah dies weeks after arriving at Edinburgh Zoo
The cheetah was named Cleo by zoo staff
- Published
A cheetah that had only arrived at Edinburgh Zoo in July has died.
Cleo, a five-year-old animal which was the first cheetah at the zoo in 24 years, came to Edinburgh from Fota Wildlife Park in Ireland.
Zoo officials said a post-mortem examination would be carried out but staff suspect she died from liver failure.
Cheetahs can live up to 20 years in captivity, but typically 8-10 years in the wild.
The cheetah was five years old when she died
David Field, chief executive of RZSS, which runs the zoo, said the cheetah died overnight.
He said: "In spite of the best efforts of our veterinary team and specialist animal carers, I'm sorry to say that Cleo passed away last night, following a short illness.
"We are still trying to establish what the cause of death is but we believe it is related to liver failure.
"We will know more after a post-mortem examination.
"Cleo wasn't here at Edinburgh Zoo for long but in that time she made an amazing impression on all of the staff, vets, and visitors who met her. She will be sadly missed."
A chimpanzee named Rene died at Edinburgh Zoo in July after a fight between chimpanzees and another was badly injured.
The zoo said at the time that fighting within chimpanzee groups was normal behaviour, both in captivity and the wild.