The Roosevelt Park Zoo staff is deeply saddened to announce the passing of one of its rarest and most beloved residents, Clover, the zoo’s 16-year-old female Amur leopard.

According to zoo information, following a compassionate decision made to prioritize her comfort and quality of life, Clover was peacefully euthanized on Tuesday, June 30.

Clover started to receive treatment for age-related conditions in 2022. Despite ongoing veterinary care, her mobility and flexibility had declined. The zoo’s veterinary and animal care staff met regularly to discuss and evaluate her well-being, ensuring that her comfort and dignity were of the utmost importance.

“Clover was one of the smartest animals in the zoo,” Zoo Director Dr. Logan Wood said. “In fact, she was one of the smartest animals I have ever met. She taught us something new every day and formed incredible bonds with the people who cared for her. She will be greatly missed.”

Curator Chelsea Mihalick reflected on Clover’s lasting impact. “Clover, the Amur leopard, was the very first animal I had the privilege of doing behavioral training with. She not only learned new behaviors and gained confidence, but she also taught me so much along the way. Through working with her, I grew as a trainer, built confidence in myself, and learned lessons I’ll carry throughout my career. I’ll always be grateful that Clover was the one who started that journey with me.”

Beyond the zoo, Clover inspired countless guests to develop a deeper appreciation for wildlife and conservation. As an ambassador for one of the rarest cats on Earth, she helped tell the story of a species fighting for survival and reminded visitors of the importance of protecting wild places and the animals that call them home.

“With only around 300 Amur leopards left on the planet, each passing is deeply felt,” Wood said. “But this one is especially difficult. We know that, in time, the pain of losing Clover will be outweighed by the joy of having known her. She was truly one of a kind.”

Amur leopards are among the world’s most critically endangered big cats. In professional care, they typically live between 15 and 20 years, while leopards in the wild often live just 10 to 15 years due to harsh environmental conditions and limited resources. Clover’s long life was a testament to the exceptional care she received throughout her years at Roosevelt Park Zoo.

Since arriving in 2013, Clover quickly became a favorite among guests and staff alike. Instantly

recognizable by her striking heterochromia–one brown eye and one green eye, she possessed a feature exceptionally rare in Amur leopards. While heterochromia is a recognized genetic variation, it is seldom documented in wild leopards and is rarely observed even in professionally managed populations.

Yet it was Clover’s personality that truly made her unforgettable. Whether she was playfully stalking passing wagons full of children, flashing her caretakers what they affectionately called her “spicy smile,” or surveying her habitat from her favorite tree while patiently watching for unsuspecting squirrels, Clover made every day memorable. Visitors often looked for her among the lush trees or atop the towering rocks she claimed as her favorite vantage points. Finding Clover became a tradition for many families, creating cherished memories that spanned generations.

As she grew older, Clover continued to amaze her care team with her intelligence and trust. Through positive reinforcement training, she actively participated in many aspects of her own medical care, allowing veterinarians to perform blood draws, administer treatments and even conduct voluntary ophthalmic examinations twice each year to monitor her cataracts.

Guests are invited to leave written memories and messages at Clover’s habitat in the coming weeks.

Those unable to visit the zoo are encouraged to share their favorite memories and photos of Clover on the zoo’s social media page.