The health of more big cats at Auckland Zoo is being monitored and an 18-year-old lion could also soon be put down after a Cheetah was euthanised several weeks ago.
Zookeepers gave Seven Sharp a rare insight into the decision-making process around euthanasia which can be the hardest part of their job.
Lauren Booth, head zookeeper for the big cats at the zoo, is one of a group who make decisions about when to put suffering animals out of their misery.
"It's very, very tough, very emotional," she said.
The decision to euthanise Anubis the cheetah was made two months ago and Ms Booth became emotional when remembering her favourite and "very special" big cat.
“The last thing we want is for our animals to be suffering
"The decision to euthanise, it's incredibly difficult. We spend their whole lives making sure they get the best care possible, and this extends to their end of life as well. So with all our elderly animals, we look at them once a year with our vets," Ms Booth said.
While making the decision to end an animal's life is difficult, the zoo's head of life sciences Kevin Buley said if they are suffering the staff will act.
"We need to be really aware of the time to call it with them, when it is appropriate to euthanise them, so before they actually start to suffer. The last thing we want is for our animals to be suffering," Mr Buley said.
X-rays of the 18-year-old lion's bones and joints show how she is doing with arthritis, a staff member said.
And with over 1000 creatures to care for at the zoo, end of life care is an ever present reality.
"Animals in zoos are living much longer as a result of us knowing much more about how to care for them," Mr Buley said.
But the circle of life continues with two baby female cheetahs arriving at the end of this week which Ms Booth said "is really exciting".
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