Jaguar in the valley passes away after 20 years
DUNLAP, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A jaguar that has been under care in the Central Valley passed away Friday, according to Project Survival’s Cat Haven.
Project Survival says Juanita the jaguar lived at the haven in Dunlap for nearly two decades. She and her sister, Betia, were the first jaguars that came to the Cat Haven over 19 years ago after previously living at the La Aurora Zoo in Guatemala.
Juanita was said to have been very feisty and considered unique in the United States as her bloodline was not represented in the states— furthering a need for new jaguars in American zoos.
Project Survival’s Cat Haven. Project Survival’s Cat Haven. Project Survival’s Cat Haven. Project Survival’s Cat Haven. Project Survival’s Cat Haven. Project Survival’s Cat Haven. Project Survival’s Cat Haven.
However, they say recently her health had taken a turn and the cat haven had to make the difficult choice with their vets to put her down.
“She had something, we’re not exactly sure but something like a stroke, she was having a hard time moving hard time walking,” said Executive Director Dale Anderson.
Anderson says Juanita had just turned 20 years old over the Christmas holiday— which is about the average lifespan for big cats in captivity.
During her lifetime, officials say Juanita mothered great kids: Nacho and Libre who are now living at Bearizona, El Santo living at the Animal Ark, and Samba and Rose whom people can see at the Cat Haven.
Officials with the park say she died on Friday after enjoying her retirement in the park for several years.
