Bela, Beloved Cheetah At Living Desert Zoo And Gardens, Dies At 9

PALM DESERT, CA — The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens announced the death of the 9-year-old Cheetah, Bela, a zoo resident since 2016.

Bela was recently diagnosed with lymphoma, a terminal cancer diagnosis, according to a zoo spokesperson.

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"Due to the irreversible and terminal lymphoma diagnosis, it was determined that the best course of action for Bela was to be compassionately euthanized."

During the short time from her diagnosis to the end of her life, the zoo kept her comfortable during "a brief time of palliative care," they said. "Under close monitoring by the animal care and veterinary teams, Bela went back onto her habitat with litter mates, Kali and Sudi – soaking up the sunshine and lounging in the grass."

Bela was born in 2014 and was moved to the zoo with her sisters, Kali and Sundi, in 2016, being transferred from the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, according to a zoo spokesperson.

"Lovingly referred to as 'B' by the animal care team, Bela enjoyed napping in the sunshine and spending time with her sisters," they wrote on the zoo's Instagram page.

"She also loved receiving bones as an enriching experience – something that sent Bela, Kali, and Sudi sprinting across the habitat. Bela’s own preferred enriching experience item was anything that smelled like fish.

"Bela has truly left her paw prints on the hearts of all who are lucky enough to have met her.

"The cheetah is an embodiment of all that is beautiful and fragile in the desert. Bela was an incredible ambassador for her species, sharing the cheetah’s important conservation story with guests every day.

Visit the The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens website to learn some of the many ways the zoo works to protect cheetahs in their native habitats.

Learn more about the Cheetah Conservation Fund.