COLUMBUS, Ohio — A 4-year-old cheetah was euthanized at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on Thursday.
The zoo says the cheetah, Ophelia, lacerated her Achilles tendon in June 2019.
The injury was repaired, but the zoo says the cheetah's tendon failed on Wednesday.
According to a Facebook post by the zoo, the injury is difficult to manage and resolve.
The tendon is vital for extending the ankle. An animal like a cheetah is built to make rapid accelerations which put more strain on the tendon.
Ophelia was born on Dec. 4, 2016 and has been with the zoo since February 2017.
