(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (CMZoo) said on Tuesday, Sept. 15, that the zoo said goodbye to a rare and endangered mountain tapir named Mochi.
According to CMZoo, Mochi was 27 years old, which is geriatric for a mountain tapir, and had started to show a rapid decline in his health due to age-related issues. Mochi was humanely euthanized on Tuesday.
Mochi’s passing also marks the potential end of a long chapter for mountain tapirs at CMZoo. Since 1995, CMZoo has almost always cared for a mountain tapir, giving generations of guests the opportunity to learn about the unique species. Because mountain tapirs are incredibly rare, it is unlikely CMZoo will be home to the species again.
Mochi lived at CMZoo from 2000 to 2014, when he moved to Los Angeles Zoo, before returning to CMZoo in 2023 to live out his golden years…