This is a press release courtesy of the Oregon Zoo

This morning, Oregon Zoo veterinarians euthanized Fred, a 17-year-old, geriatric Amur leopard, who had been suffering from an aggressive form of terminal cancer. Veterinarians and zookeepers were by his side when he died. The staff is deeply saddened by his passing.

"We had a lot of people involved in managing Fred's care," said Chris Pfefferkorn, general curator. "It became apparent that his quality of life was not improving, despite the best efforts of all involved. Zoo veterinarians and staff determined that the only humane thing to do was to euthanize him."

In September, zoo veterinarians performed surgery on Fred and discovered a tumor, which they immediately removed. Chemotherapy was begun to try to eradicate the cancer. However, during his third dose, veterinarians discovered the tumors had reappeared.

Pfefferkorn reflected on the loss: "Losing Fred is extremely difficult for everyone involved in his care. He was a very special cat and a wonderful ambassador for his critically endangered species. He will be sorely missed."

Fred's remains will undergo a post-mortem examination known as a necropsy.

"Fred could help improve the understanding of cancer in leopards," said Pfefferkorn. "Studying his remains can provide important insight. Through a comprehensive necropsy, we hope to discover clues on how we can improve the health and welfare of the world's few remaining Amur leopards."

Fred came to Portland in April 2000 from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, Colo. His arrival was considered a first step in returning big cats to the Oregon Zoo after major exhibit construction had necessitated removal of the old feline building.

Kia, a 12-year-old female Amur leopard who shared Fred's exhibit space, remains at the zoo. She and Fred were not a breeding pair. Kia came to Portland last year to help create more breeding space at her former home, the Erie Zoo in Pennsylvania.

Amur leopards have a life expectancy of about 15 to 19 years in captivity. Native to eastern Russia, they are considered critically endangered, with only about 35 to 45 of the animals left in the wild.

Also known as the Manchurian or Korean leopard, the species has slowly drifted from Korea, its original habitat, to China and finally to eastern Russia, where zoologists say it is making a last stand.  Its habitat today is mainly the mountains along Siberia's Amur River Valley, where habitat destruction and loss of prey species have greatly reduced its numbers.

Amur leopards are mostly nocturnal and are "opportunistic" hunters, taking whatever kind of prey they can handle. Deer and boars are major food favorites. Adult leopards usually weigh 75 to 100 pounds and stand about 3 feet high. Like their African cousins, Amur leopards have tawny coats spotted with many widely spaced, thick-bordered rosettes. The Russian leopards, however, have a more intense coloring and longer fur, allowing them to survive in cold and snowy areas.

The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission to inspire the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California condors, Washington's pygmy rabbits, Oregon silverspot butterflies, western pond turtles and Oregon spotted frogs. Other projects include studies on black rhinos, Asian elephants, polar bears and bats.

The zoo opens at 9 a.m. daily and is located five minutes from downtown Portland, just off Highway 26. The zoo is also accessible by MAX light rail line. Zoo visitors are encouraged to ride MAX or take TriMet bus No. 63. Visitors who take the bus or MAX receive $1 off zoo admission. Call TriMet Customer Service, 503-238-RIDE (7433), or visit www.trimet.org for fare and route information.

General admission is $9.75 (12-64), seniors $8.25 (65+), children $6.75 (3-11), and infants 2 and under are free; 25 cents of the admission price helps fund regional conservation projects through the zoo's Future for Wildlife program. A parking fee of $2 per car is also required. Additional information is available at www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-226-1561.