Koshi the Clouded Leopard (c.2014-2025)

Koshi, a ten-year-old clouded leopard, died at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Utah in February 2025 from sudden-onset diabetes. Koshi was born at the Houston Zoo and transferred to Utah in May 2016.

Clouded leopards live in the forests of Southeast Asia.  They have been called the “smallest big cat” and have impressive hunting abilities. They are skilled climbers, able to hang upside down from branches. Their legs are powerful enough that they can downclimb in a way similar to squirrels. Due to the structure of their neck, clouded leopards cannot roar or purr. Koshi’s life trapped inside an aquarium was nothing like he would have experienced in the wild. Instead of roaming the forest and climbing trees, Koshi spent his life in a small enclosure with fake rocks and plastic toys.

The IUCN classifies clouded leopards as vulnerable. The primary threats to their survival are habitat destruction from expanding agriculture production and poaching. Clouded leopards are killed so their fur and bones can be sold as trophies and used in traditional medicine. The best way to protect clouded leopards is by protecting their habitat.

Clouded leopards have been understudied because they are elusive and live in remote areas. However, observing clouded leopards in an artificial environment such as a zoo provides little insight into their true behavior nor aids conservation efforts. Further, the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium sells exploitative “experiences” with wild animals, including feeding penguins and touching stingrays. These encounters are stressful and frightening to wild animals and serve no educational purpose. Animals are manipulated or forced into interactions and do not behave as they would in the wild. These encounters are sold only to increase the zoo’s profits.

World Animal Protection urges everyone who loves clouded leopards to avoid zoos and enjoy them in the wild or at an accredited sanctuary.