By AP
LANSING, MI –
Vladimir the snow leopard at Lansing's Potter Park Zoo has been euthanized.
The Lansing State Journal reports the 16-year-old big cat was put down on Tuesday after he did not respond to treatment to aid in his declining health.
Vladimir lived past the average age of snow leopards in the wild, which is 12 years. He also surpassed the life expectancy of 15 years typically seen in zoos.
Vladimir was born at a zoo in Kansas and moved to Potter Park two years ago.
Serena the female snow leopard remains at the zoo. Another snow leopard, Ramir, just arrived this past week and will remain in quarantine for the next 26 days.
Snow leopards are an endangered species that live mainly in mountain ranges in colder climates.