Elmwood Park Zoo's Popular Jaguar Dies at Age 19
By Al Novack
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- The Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown is mourning the loss one of its longtime favorite animals, a 19-year-old jaguar named Anasazi.
Officials of the zoo say Anasazi died following a sudden decline in health. In fact, they say, veterinarians had been prepared to euthanize the jaguar when he died on his own.
A preliminary examination has revealed the likely cause of death were cancer and complications from kidney failure.
Zoo staff members and veterinarians had been treating the cat for nearly a year.
Anasazi was born at a Maryland wildlife preserve in 1973, and arrived at Elmwood Park Zoo in 1994, where he soon became a star attraction among the many schoolchildren who visited the Montgomery County-based zoo.
