ASHEBORO — With heavy hearts, we share the passing of our beloved male ocelot, Diego.
Diego passed peacefully, surrounded by those who cared for him most. At nearly 22 years old, he lived an extraordinary life, far surpassing the typical ocelot lifespan of 7-12 years in the wild. His long life is a testament to the incredible care and love he received here at the Zoo.
Born in November 2003 at Palm Beach Zoo, Diego moved to San Francisco Zoo in 2006 where he met his long-time mate, Inca. In 2010, both Inca and Diego joined our Desert building and eventually made their home in a lush outdoor habitat in 2015. Together, this iconic duo raised ten offspring, contributing meaningfully to the future of their species.
Diego was known for his gentle, quiet nature. He was often tucked into the shadows, blending in with his surroundings, just as a nocturnal cat should. His habitat was carefully designed with his comfort and enrichment in mind, offering plenty of places to hide, climb, and observe.
Diego’s absence leaves a deep void in our hearts. We are grateful for every moment we had with him, and for the legacy he leaves behind with Inca. Our team will continue to monitor Inca’s wellbeing closely as she adjusts to this new chapter without her mate.
Please join us in remembering Diego, and keeping those who knew and loved him in your thoughts. Thank you to Diego's keepers who shared these wonderful photos with us, we couldn't just pick a few, we wanted to share them all with you.
