A female snow leopard who was part of a brother-sister duo that didn't get along well is being moved out of Miller Park Zoo (MPZ) to a sanctuary in Nevada.
Bloomington city officials said Wednesday that Shree, one of two snow leopards born at Miller Park Zoo in 2020, will be relocated to Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary in Nevada over the weekend.
After becoming adults, zookeepers last summer noticed that Shree and her brother, Sage, had become less tolerant of each other and were eventually separated to reduce the risk of serious injuries.
"This separation created challenges for the staff based on available habitats and holding spaces, leading to ... Shree's transfer to Safe Haven, where she can have her own space all the time," the city said in a news release. "MPZ has been in close communication with the team at Safe Haven, who are very excited to bring Shree into their sanctuary."
Shree and Sage were cubs born to snow leopards Rilu and Hima, who died in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Rilu was 11 years old and suffered from COVID-induced pneumonia; Hima lived to about 13 years old, the median life expectancy for snow leopards.
The recommendation to move Shree was partly facilitated by the Species Survival Plan Programs within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which accredits MPZ. Specialists there recommended the transfer of Shree to the Nevada-based sanctuary, which is itself accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.
Sage, the remaining male snow leopard, will remain at MPZ.
