A male African hunting cheetah died at the Mysuru zoo following prolonged illness.
Ganapathi, aged 4 years and 11 months, had no control over its hind legs owing to a neurological disorder, and breathed its last at the zoo hospital at 9.30 p.m. on Friday.
Ganapathi was born to Brinda, and was brought to Mysuru zoo along with adult female cheetah Maya and two adult male cheetahs Tejas and Arjun five years ago from the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve, Johannesburg in South Africa, under an animal exchange programme.
Among the four, only Brinda and Arjun remain. Arjun has been displayed at the zoo, while Brinda, which is also suffering from genetic disorder, was shifted to Chamundi Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre at Koorgalli, according to zoo authorities.
Zoo deputy director N.T. Vijay Kumar said: “On confirming that Ganapathi was suffering from genetic disorder, we put the animal on continuous medication. Its condition worsened as it became completely immobile and its organs failed to respond.”
The cheetah had stopped food intake since last week and doctors performed a surgery on Friday. However, it did not respond to treatment, Mr. Kumar said. Maya died a year after it was brought to the zoo. Tejas died in 2013.
