Female cheetah at Chehaw, Mariska, put to sleep due to failing health

ALBANY — An animal at Chehaw’s wild animal park has passed away, officials with Chehaw said.

Chehaw is mourning the loss of a cheetah, Mariska, who died Monday morning. She was one month short of her 10th birthday, about the median lifespan for female cheetahs in captivity.

“Mariska was an incredible ambassador for her species and she will be greatly missed by staff as well as by many of the guests who came to see her throughout the years,” said Chehaw Executive Director Doug Porter.

Officials at Chehaw said that, for the last year, Mariska experienced a variety of health challenges including a decreased appetite and weight loss. After extensive veterinary testing last year, staff was unable to find anything conclusively wrong with her. She maintained her health through the year before beginning to sharply decline again this winter, recently beginning to refuse her food.

Early Monday morning, after concluding there was realistically no chance of a significant recovery from chronic renal failure, the decision was made to humanely euthanize her to prevent any further suffering, Chehaw officials said.

“It was clear on Monday that it was time, and she went very peacefully,” Samantha Sassone, lead keeper at the park, said. “I am glad of that for her and the keepers’ sakes. These decisions are never made lightly. It’s about having respect for the animals we care for, and when it’s necessary, we give them freedom from pain and a peaceful, dignified exit. It is always painful to lose a friend, and Mariska was a very special animal.”

Mariska was one of the three cheetah sisters who arrived at Chehaw in 2006 from the White Oak Conservation Center, where they were hand raised. Mariska was known to be popular with guests and staff — forming especially strong bonds with her keepers.

Keepers described Mariska as the most investigative and protective of the sisters. Even though she was protective, the keepers said she was a very easy going and playful cheetah.

“She was definitely the alpha,” said Sassone. “Any time something new or different was put into the enclosure she would be the first one out to investigate. Once she determined everything was safe she would go back and bring her sisters out.”

Chehaw officials said the two other cheetahs, Ellie and Roswell, will be closely monitored to make sure they adjust to Mariska’s absence.