MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee County Zoo announced Thursday the jaguar, Stella, was euthanized Feb. 5 due to “chronic age-related health conditions.”
Zoo officials said that during the week prior, Stella had been experiencing “abnormal behavior” and “gastrointestinal discomfort.”
In response, the team tried to examine her further with tests and exams. But before any of those procedures could be done, Stella’s health “dramatically worsened,” according to zoo officials.
The team then provided an emergency procedure, where it found ulcers in the small intestine. They suspected this was causing a “chronic, slow blood loss,” which lead to anemia.
Officials said they believe she could have had this for some time, without showing symptoms.
Bloodwork also showed signs of infection and low protein levels. Veterinary specialists were called in to help.
However, it wasn’t enough.
Zoo officials said that Stella’s health continued to decline and, after several days, was not responding to care. Therefore, they euthanized her in a “humane” way.
“We will miss her ‘picture-perfect’ face and striking green eyes,” said zoo officials in tweet.
Officials said Stella’s lead zookeeper called her “a force,” and said that she was the kind of animal “that slowly grew roots in your heart, that you didn’t know were there until it hits you one day. Stella will be missed beyond words.”
Stella was 19 years old and had two litters while at the Milwaukee County Zoo. She arrived in Milwaukee in 2005, coming from the Fort Worth Zoo.