Important update regarding Paignton Zoo’s zebras

8 April 2025

It is with deep sadness that Paignton Zoo announces the loss of our two female Hartmann’s mountain zebras, 22-year-old Taru and 11-year-old Leila. Following careful consideration and consultation among our veterinary and animal care teams, the difficult decision was made to humanely euthanise both animals due to their deteriorating health conditions. 

Taru had been living with cancer for a number of years that had recently stopped responding to treatment. Leila had been managing a rare blood clotting condition that, despite our veterinary team’s best efforts, was beginning to impact her quality of life. After exhausting all reasonable treatment options for both animals, our veterinary assessment indicated that humane euthanasia was the kindest option. 

This was an incredibly difficult decision for our team, but one made with the animals’ welfare as our absolute priority. Both zebras had been experiencing chronic health issues affecting their quality of life, and our veterinary assessment indicated that humane euthanasia was the kindest option. After careful consideration, it was determined that euthanising both animals together would be the most compassionate course of action, as Hartmann’s mountain zebras are highly social animals that do not thrive in isolation. 

Taru was born here at Paignton Zoo on 2 June 2002 and spent her entire life with us, becoming a beloved fixture of our zoo family.  Leila was born at Safari Park Dvůr Králové in the Czech Republic on 2 September 2013 and joined us in Paignton in 2019. Since her arrival, she formed a strong bond with Taru, and the pair became inseparable companions. Both zebras were much-loved by visitors due to their distinctive personalities and striking appearance and their loss will be felt deeply by our zoo community. 

We thank all of you for your understanding and support during this difficult time. The animal care team who worked closely with Taru and Leila are particularly affected by this loss, and we appreciate your kind thoughts for them as well.