SOUTH BEND — Officials at Potawatomi Zoo said they were saddened last week at the death of 19-year-old male Amur leopard, Sergei. Zoo staff was faced with the difficult decision to humanely euthanize him after his health started to rapidly decline due to old age and chronic health issues.

Amur leopards are believed to be the rarest big cat with only about 40 remaining in the wild. Sergei spent several years at the zoo as an ambassador for the Amur leopard species and fathered five rare cubs with mate, Pearl. Amur leopards traditionally live to be 10 to 15 years old in the wild.

“Sergei’s appetite and attitude abruptly declined, prompting an emergency examination, which revealed he was in kidney failure,” said Dr. Ronan Eustace, zoo veterinarian. “Based on the severity of his condition, a humane euthanasia was performed.”

“Sergei came to Potawatomi Zoo as part of the Species Survival Program developed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums,” said Marcy Dean, executive director of Potawatomi Zoo. “Though he will be profoundly missed, we feel fortunate to have provided him with a long and comfortable life that ended with grace and dignity. He will be remembered not only for his beauty and rarity, but also for his significant contribution to the species.”

The Amur leopard can be found throughout northern China and Russia’s far east. Populations have been decimated by poaching, forest fires and inbreeding. Sergei’s five cubs are now part of an effort to breed and preserve new generations of the species.

Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Potawatomi Zoo exceeds the standards for zoos in animal care and quality of life, conservation, and education programs. For more information, go to potawatomizoo.org or call (574) 288-4639.