Lincoln Park Zoo announced the passing of its longtime snow leopard Ozzy “following a rapid deterioration in his health.”
Zoo officials said visitors knew 8-year-old Ozzy by his bushy tail, which would hang down as he took afternoon naps, and his bursts of energy. The snow leopard would often be seen running around the habitat with his mate, Kennedi, and climbing up the rocky wall at the back of the enclosure.
Those who worked with the animal said he enjoyed training sessions. His favorite treat was chicken puree.
“Ozzy touched the lives of so many — both guests and staff alike — and quickly became a favorite of every keeper who had the honor of working with him,” said the zoo’s Curator of Mammals Cassy Kutilek. “He had a stoic yet playful personality that was a perfect balance to his mate Kennedi’s exuberance.”
The leopard was born in 2018 at Rosamond Gifford Zoo in New York and was brought to Lincoln Park Zoo in 2021 when the Pepper Family Wildlife Center opened, according to the zoo.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature considers snow leopards endangered, citing ongoing threats from poaching and climate change that impact their natural habitats in Central Asia’s mountainous regions.
While snow leopards are considered solitary animals, per the zoo’s animal experts, Ozzy and his mate often spent time together. Zoo officials said they will also monitor Kennedi’s behavior in the coming weeks.
“Ozzy’s loss is felt throughout the entire Lincoln Park Zoo family,” the zoo said in a statement. “His larger-than-life personality will be missed by zoo staff, volunteers, and visitors alike.”