Roger Williams Park Zoo

Makes Tough Decision to Euthanize Ailing Cheetah

“Togo” was One of the Oldest Cheetahs in U.S. Zoos

Providence, RI – Animal care staff at Roger Williams Park Zoo had to make the difficult decision Monday to euthanize an arthritic cheetah after discovering that he had suffered a fracture to his right front leg, which had already been surgically repaired once before in June, 2007. The cheetah, named “Togo,” was just three weeks shy of his sixteenth birthday and was believed to be one of the oldest cheetahs in North American zoos at the time of his death. The average life expectancy for cheetahs in the wild is eight to 12 years, a bit longer in captivity.

Zoo veterinarians first detected signs of arthritis in the cheetah’s right front leg in the fall of 2006. By last spring the arthritis had become problematic, and in June surgery was performed to alleviate the symptoms. Togo lived comfortably for almost another full year after the surgery. Zoo veterinarians and animal care staff monitored him daily and adjusted his exhibit space to limit the possibility of an injury to his already fragile bones.

Late last week, however, it was observed that Togo had a more pronounced limp in his repaired leg; by Sunday he was no longer using the leg at all, and on Monday radiographs revealed a mid-shaft fracture of his femur. Zoo veterinarians and animal care staff explored the possibility of another surgery, but there was no reasonable surgical option available; his bone density was diminished and could not have supported a plate and screws. The only option was to amputate the leg, an unacceptable alternative for Zoo officials.

“The feeling was that it would be unfair to the cheetah to attempt it due to his advanced age, as well as the length of time and logistics involved in rehabilitation,” said Tim French, director of animal care at the Zoo.

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“While there may be instances when we can prolong an animal’s life, we must always weigh that against quality of life, and in this case we felt it would not be sufficient. This was the overriding factor in the ultimate decision to euthanize. Of course, it was a difficult and painful choice to have to make, just as it is for people who have to make the same choice for their pets at home. Togo will certainly be missed by Zoo staff, as well as our visitors.”

Togo arrived at the Zoo as a yearling in late spring of 1993, and was one of the Zoo’s most popular animals for the last 15 years.

Roger Williams Park Zoo is operated and maintained by the Rhode Island Zoological Society and is owned by the City of Providence.

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