Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Euthanizes Rare Mountain Tapir, Mochi, Amid Age-Related Health Decline
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs has euthanized Mochi, a 27-year-old rare and endangered mountain tapir, due to age-related health decline. Mochi was one of the few mountain tapirs remaining in human care in the United States, and his death…
Colorado Springs Pueblo, CO, September 22, 2026 —
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs announced the euthanasia of Mochi, a 27-year-old male mountain tapir. The decision was made due to Mochi’s significant age-related health decline, according to zoo officials.
Mountain tapirs are classified as rare and endangered. Mochi was notably one of the few individuals of his species remaining in human care within the United States. His passing marks a significant moment for the zoo’s conservation efforts, as it potentially signals the conclusion of their nearly 30-year program dedicated to the species.
The zoo’s long-standing commitment to the mountain tapir species has been a cornerstone of their conservation work. The decision to euthanize an animal is typically a last resort, undertaken when an animal’s quality of life can no longer be maintained due to irreversible health issues, often associated with advanced age in long-lived species.
The mountain tapir, also known as the Andean tapir, is the smallest of the four extant tapir species and is native to the Andes mountains of South America. The species faces threats in the wild, primarily due to habitat loss and fragmentation caused by human agricultural expansion and deforestation, as well as hunting. Their endangered status highlights the critical role that zoos play in species survival programs, providing a genetic reservoir and opportunities for research and public education.
The specific number of mountain tapirs remaining in human care in the U.S. beyond Mochi was not detailed in the information provided. The future of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s program for this species is now uncertain following the loss of their long-term resident. Further details regarding the zoo’s plans for future conservation initiatives or species support were not immediately available.
Story summarized from the original created by Ajia Cuevas on gazette.com, see more information here.
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