Winspear, a beloved 12-year-old cheetah at the Dallas Zoo known for his gentle nature and quirky personality, has died following a decline in health, zoo officials announced Friday.

He arrived at the zoo — at just two weeks old — in 2013. He was raised alongside a Labrador retriever named Amani.

Health declined over several weeks

While his condition worsened over several weeks, with changes in cognitive function, coordination, and overall comfort, zoo staff provided treatments and adjustments.

Despite extensive treatment efforts, Winspear's condition deteriorated, prompting zoo officials to announce that he had been "humanely euthanized."

Dallas Zoo

Dallas Zoo

Known for purring and painting

Known for purring, his love of training, and painting sessions, he had a quirky dislike for

See Full Page