ASHEBORO — With heavy hearts, we share the passing of our beloved male ocelot, Diego.
Diego passed peacefully, surrounded by those who cared for him most. At nearly 22 years old, he lived an extraordinary life, far surpassing the typical ocelot lifespan of 7-12 years in the wild. His long life is a testament to the incredible care and love he received here at the Zoo.
Born in November 2003 at Palm Beach Zoo, Diego moved to San Francisco Zoo in 2006 where he met his long-time mate, Inca. In 2010, both Inca and Diego joined our Desert building and eventually made their home in a lush outdoor habitat in 2015. Together, this iconic duo raised ten offspring, contributing meaningfully to the future of their species…