Hogle Zoo in Utah is mourning the death of one of its black-footed cats, a 4-year-old male named Ryder.
The cat, once touted as the zoo’s “black-footed bachelor,” died on July 22 after a short but serious bout with kidney disease.
He was sent from San Diego on the advice of the Black-footed Cat Society, a species conservation organization that works to protect small cats, and had been living at the zoo since 2021.
Ryder was just a few weeks away from meeting his future partner, Gaia, who had been kept in an enclosure next to Ryder since her arrival in October.
Ryder was only a few months old at the time and was scheduled to stay there until he reached sexual maturity. The team was in the midst of showcasing the two cubs when Ryder’s health “rapidly deteriorated” and officials made the difficult decision to euthanize him.
“Hogle Zoo in Utah is mourning the loss of Ryder (4), a beloved male black-footed cat who passed away on July 22, 2024,” it said in a statement Thursday.
“Ryder had been receiving intensive veterinary care for advanced kidney disease, but despite treatment, his health rapidly deteriorated and Hogle Zoo made the difficult and responsible decision to humanely euthanize him.”
“Ryder’s dedicated care team, including veterinarians and caregivers, developed an individualized treatment plan and worked together to assess his quality of life,” the spokesman continued.
“After notable changes in the rider’s behaviour and weight were noticed, a medical check-up revealed kidney disease.
“Our veterinary medical team also carried out a necropsy and confirmed advanced kidney disease.”
The statement recounted how Ryder, statistically one of the zoo’s most endangered species, was transferred to Hogle from San Diego Zoo Safari Park as part of the Black-Footed Cat Association’s breeding recommendations.
“Known for his playful yet gentle nature, Ryder loved to challenge himself with the puzzle feeders and was especially fond of his cinnamon-dusted scratching post,” keepers wrote.
“Ryder was a popular choice with guests in the small animal building,” wrote Tammy Waring, animal care supervisor for the building where both Ryder and Gaia lived.
“He loved to sleep next to the glass and would often sleep snuggled up where he could people-watch.”
Meanwhile, Gaia continues to go about her daily life as usual, officials said, likely unaware that her companion has died.
Officials said they would work with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Black-footed Cat Association on recommendations regarding future breeding for the feline, who recently turned one year old.
“We heard your ‘psh-psh’ sounds, your lamentations about Gaia taking the form of a friend, and your desire to scratch the jaws of the tiniest, most dangerous cat you have ever seen.
“We’re not here to crush your dreams, although maybe we might,” the staff member joked.
Gaia may be the cutest, tiniest, friendliest cat you’ve ever seen, but never forget her fearsome reputation.
“What you can do is visit Gaia in the Small Animal House, where you can feel your great feelings for her in your heart and from afar,” the post, written last week, continues.
“Sincerely and Happy #Caturday from #utahshoglezoo.”
A few days ago, zookeepers released an equally adorable video of the spotted cat scratching its paws at a dangling piece of wood installed in its enclosure.
“Got it, girl?” the official replied, reminding onlookers that in its natural habitat, the carnivore can eat around 3,000 rodents a year.
Meanwhile, Ryder’s illness was progressing silently and his future fate remained unknown.
Officials added Thursday that the cat was “a beloved member of our zoo family and a wonderful ambassador for her species.”
“Thank you to everyone in the Ryder community, including our dedicated animal care and health team, staff, volunteers and guests, for being a part of Ryder’s life,” they continued.
“He will be greatly missed.”
The black-footed cat lives mainly in the arid regions of Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.
They can stalk their prey for hours, sometimes chasing them for distances of up to 20 miles.
But where black-footed cats really come into their own is when they come into contact with a strange bird or gerbil: they lay flat to the ground like a carpet and pounce with all their might.
The result is a cat that can literally leap several feet into the air to catch a fleeing bird – with a high success rate.
This is no small thing to take lightly, considering that this takes place in some of the world’s harshest regions, savannahs and deserts.
Despite all this, the black-footed cat is considered a “vulnerable” species, just one step away from being endangered.
A 2016 survey found that only about 9,700 of the killer cats live in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, with only a few kept in captivity in places like the one that opened in Utah in December.