Snow Leopard Cub Born At Zoo Earlier This Year Dies

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CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, N.J. (CBS) -- A female snow leopard cub born at the Cape May County Zoo earlier this year has died.

Zara, a female snow leopard cub born at the Cape May County Zoo earlier this year, has died. (credit: Cape May County Zoo)

The female cub named Zara, who was born on May 19 and introduced to the world in July, died Monday after becoming "acutely ill" last Friday.

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Associate Veterinarian Dr. Alexander Ernst said the cub's health deteriorated through the weekend, despite medical intervention and treatments.

"Zara's clinical signs, and MRI suggested she had a severe infectious encephalitis," said Ernst. "Results are still pending that will identify the exact infectious agent. She was only 4 months old and still had an immature system which is why the infection acted so quickly and aggressively in her case."

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Ernst says that he and his staff are closely monitoring Zara's sister, Ahana, and mother Tysa for any signs of illness.

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Zara and Ahana were born on May 19 at the Cape May County Zoo as part of a national program to save endangered species.