Hogle Zoo snow leopard known for ‘star-crossed eyes’ dies at age 15

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A snow leopard named Milenka, known for her crossed eyes and unique vocalizations, died at age 15 at the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City.

The Hogle Zoo announced the death “with heavy hearts” on Tuesday saying she will be dearly missed by the community and the team who cared for her. The zoo said she died from natural causes.

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Milenka came to the Zoo four years ago at age 11 and developed a close relationship with her keepers over the years, according to the zoo’s social media post. They said she was deemed a “rock star” in the Asian Highlands section of the zoo for voluntarily allowing her keepers to perform medical injections and procedures on her. The zoo said this contributed to her overall well-being during her final years.

Snow leopards live anywhere from 10 to 18 years in the wild but can live up to 22 years in captivity. The exact cause of her death was not released.

Zoo officials described Milenka as a “sassy cat” with a “cute, grumpy smile and star-crossed eyes.” They also said she had unique vocalizations which they describe as chuffs and clicks that endeared those around her.

“From her diligent care to advocating for snow leopards, thank you to everyone who was a part of Milenka’s life,” zoo officials wrote in the post, which has garnered over 100 comments sharing condolences to the team.

Zoo officials say the two remaining snow leopards, Babs and Chim, are doing well. They said the snow leopards’ daily routines have not been altered by Milenka’s death since they are solitary animals.

Snow leopards live in central Asia’s mountainous regions. They were previously considered highly endangered but their status was recently changed to vulnerable, according to the zoo.

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