Longtime Lodi zoo resident dies

Visitors to Micke Grove Zoo in Lodi might not remember the name of Ling-shan the snow leopard, but they might recall seeing the big cat lying on the grass at the front of his exhibit.

That was one of Ling's favorite resting spots, according to zoo officials, who said the 20-year-old leopard was euthanized Wednesday. "He lived to a ripe old age," zoo animal curator Avanti Mallapur said.

In the wild, snow leopards live eight to 10 years, but they can live about 20 years in captivity, according to the zoo. That would put him around 100 in human years.

Ling had kidney disease and cancer that had spread rapidly over the past four months. The kidney disease prevented aggressive cancer treatment, according to the zoo. It caused the animal pain and affected his appetite.