15-Year-Old Cheetah Euthanized At Maryland Zoo

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The Maryland Zoo says veterinarians have euthanized a 15-year-old female cheetah after the cat's health declined.

Dr. Ellen Bronson, chief veterinarian for the zoo, said in an email that the staff euthanized Alix (pronounced Allie) on Tuesday. Bronson says Alix had kidney disease and arthritis.

Alix came to the Maryland Zoo from the Phoenix Zoo.

Cheetahs' median life expectancy is 11.3 years. There are an estimated 7,500 to 10,000 cheetahs left in the wild.

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