Taipei Zoo's 19-year-old leopard cat 'Xiao Mu' passes away, fans leave messages of condolence
Taipei Zoo's 19-year-old leopard cat 'Xiao Mu' passed away on May 1st, and the zoo posted a message of condolence on Facebook. It was a leopard cat conservation ambassador and had been experiencing decreased appetite and activity due to age-related spinal degeneration and arthritis. Many leopard cat fans left messages of sorrow and gratitude on social media.
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- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 12:02
- 🔍 Collected: May 5, 2026 at 12:32 (29 min after Published)
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Yang Shumin, Taipei, May 5) Taipei Zoo announced on its Facebook page last night, "Leopard cat 'Xiao Mu' rests in peace, farewell." The 19-year-old leopard cat, who joined the zoo in 2018 through the Ministry of Agriculture's rescue and rehabilitation program as a leopard cat conservation ambassador, had recently experienced decreased food intake and reduced activity, and passed away on May 1st.
The zoo told the Central News Agency that there are currently about 10 leopard cats in the park. 'Xiao Mu' was female and came to the zoo through the Ministry of Agriculture's Forestry Bureau's wildlife rescue and rehabilitation program. During her lifetime, she was the oldest leopard cat in the park, but she never gave birth to any cubs during her time at the zoo.
Regarding 'Xiao Mu's' physical condition, the zoo stated that 'Xiao Mu' had been gradually weakening due to long-term problems such as spinal degeneration, bone spurs, and degenerative arthritis. Since 2024, she had been in the elderly care area, and in the past week, she experienced decreased food intake and reduced activity, passing away peacefully on May 1st.
In the comment section below Taipei Zoo's Facebook page, many leopard cat fans left messages for 'Xiao Mu,' including "She still looks like a kitten, but she was already 19 years old. Thank you for taking such good care of her while she was alive," and "May all wild leopard cats live to your age." (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150505
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(Central News Agency reporter Yang Shumin, Taipei, May 5) Taipei Zoo announced on its Facebook page last night, "Leopard cat 'Xiao Mu' rests in peace, farewell." The 19-year-old leopard cat, who joined the zoo in 2018 through the Ministry of Agriculture's rescue and rehabilitation program as a leopard cat conservation ambassador, had recently experienced decreased food intake and reduced activity, and passed away on May 1st.
The zoo told the Central News Agency that there are currently about 10 leopard cats in the park. 'Xiao Mu' was female and came to the zoo through the Ministry of Agriculture's Forestry Bureau's wildlife rescue and rehabilitation program. During her lifetime, she was the oldest leopard cat in the park, but she never gave birth to any cubs during her time at the zoo.
Regarding 'Xiao Mu's' physical condition, the zoo stated that 'Xiao Mu' had been gradually weakening due to long-term problems such as spinal degeneration, bone spurs, and degenerative arthritis. Since 2024, she had been in the elderly care area, and in the past week, she experienced decreased food intake and reduced activity, passing away peacefully on May 1st.
In the comment section below Taipei Zoo's Facebook page, many leopard cat fans left messages for 'Xiao Mu,' including "She still looks like a kitten, but she was already 19 years old. Thank you for taking such good care of her while she was alive," and "May all wild leopard cats live to your age." (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150505
Stand with facts, your every sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to get the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.