Masaya was one of our Zoo’s longtime animal residents.

Our Zoo lost a longtime member of our animal family this week: our beloved 22-year-old jaguar, Masaya. Masaya lived most of her life with us, making her an extra special resident for our Zoo staff and volunteers—and much of our community.  

“Masaya was an icon of the Rainforest loop for a long time,” said Sidnee Helton, Curator of Animals. “The impact one jaguar has had on so many different people is felt through those who worked directly with her, guests who spotted her in the tunnels for the first time, and regular visitors who made up her fan base.” 

At 22, Masaya well surpassed the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) life expectancy for jaguars, which is 18.8 years old. And while older age alone isn’t a disease, it often invites a number of age-related, degenerative health issues. Masaya developed kidney disease during her geriatric years which there is, unfortunately, no known cure. Still, our animal care team carefully monitored Masaya to ensure she was comfortable and provided hydration to manage her symptoms. 

This week, Masaya showed signs of increasing underlying medical issues—she experienced limited mobility and was far less responsive to keepers. An exam found that we had exhausted any additional reasonable efforts to alleviate her condition. The compassionate decision was made to euthanize Masaya to prevent future suffering. Her necropsy showed abnormalities found within her liver, adrenal glands, kidneys and gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts. Our veterinary team is submitting her tissues for histopathology, or the microscopic examination of the cells of organs, which will provide us with more information.  

Image courtesy of our Rainforest Revealed team

As an ambassador for her species, Masaya paved the way for future generations of jaguars through her participation in the AZA Species Survival Plan program. She taught us, as well as other AZA-accredited organizations, more about jaguar behavior, how to introduce jaguars to one another and how to care for jaguar cubs.  

Masaya gave birth to six offspring over her lifespan, who now live across other AZA-accredited zoos. She even became a great grandmother! Masaya’s legacy is carried on by her important contributions to a healthy, safeguarded population of jaguars in AZA-accredited organizations.  

Image courtesy of our Rainforest Revealed team 

Several of our Rainforest Revealed keepers had special connections with Masaya. We’d like to share some of their endearing words. 

Sidnee Helton, Curator of Animals: Masaya dictated every aspect of our day, and she backed it up with so much personality. She was my favorite part of everyday, and all the memories of her will be cherished. 

Mary Ellis, Keeper: Masaya was the heart of the Rainforest loop and a prime example of the strength and majesty jaguars exude as a species. She was deeply loved by all her keepers, and although she is no longer with us in body, she lives on in our hearts always.  

Kaylyn Wells, Keeper: It was an amazing experience getting to work with and train such an amazing lady that had such a spunky personality. 

Image courtesy of our Rainforest Revealed team

Dani Keller, Keeper: I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with an animal so unique, beautiful, spicy and intelligent. Masaya taught me so much, and I’ll carry that with me forever. I love you, and I’ll miss you forever, ‘Say-Bean.  

Grace Scott, Keeper: Masaya, though incredibly spicy and stubborn, had her own way of building close relationships with keepers. I loved just sitting and talking to her and she would, in return, gape and twitch her jaw and lips, seemingly intentionally reciprocating in conversation. In her rare but sweetest moments, she would lay on her back and press her paws together repeatedly, staring at keepers intently. She has left an incredible impact on our team and will leave a hole in the Rainforest that will be impossible to fill.  

Image courtesy of our Rainforest Revealed team

Anna Foster, Keeper: Working with Masaya and training her daily has been one of the most fulfilling and meaningful opportunities I’ve had in this field. I loved every ounce of her sassy, spirited personality and the moments of tenderness she’d show meant that much more. She will be missed but never forgotten.  

Image courtesy of our Rainforest Revealed team

This is a big loss for our Zoo—Masaya was well known and cherished by our guests, staff and volunteers for decades. She remains in our hearts and our fond memories.  

Please keep our Rainforest Revealed keepers in your thoughts during this difficult time.