Ohio zoo mourns loss of cheetah ambassador dog, Coby

On Jan 6, 2022

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is mourning to loss of its cheetah ambassador dog, Coby.The zoo’s animal health team made the decision to humanely euthanize Coby on Dec. 30 after his health significantly declined. The dog had chronic arthritis in his neck and secondary spinal cord compression. Coby was receiving treatment from an Ohio State University veterinary orthopedic surgeon but his neck lesions destabilized over the past couple of weeks, resulting in severe neurological signs, according to the Columbus Zoo.Coby received an MRI but the veterinarian found the prognosis for corrective surgery was poor which led to the decision to humanely euthanize the dog.Coby was born in June 2013 and arrived at the Columbus Zoo as a puppy. As a cheetah ambassador dog, he helped raise cheetahs, Bibi and Zemba. He also mentored other cheetah ambassador dogs at the zoo.”His playful and calm demeanor made him one of the best baby-raising helpers in Animal Programs, where he helped socialize otters, warthogs, foxes and many others,” the Columbus Zoo wrote on Facebook Thursday.Zoo officials said Coby loved greeting guests who came to the zoo. He was also a go-to companion to sit with animals who recently underwent surgery.”Though we are devastated, we are confident he has found a sunny spot across the rainbow bridge, napping happily and keeping an eye on his loved ones,” the Columbus Zoo wrote on Facebook.

POWELL, Ohio —

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is mourning to loss of its cheetah ambassador dog, Coby.

The zoo’s animal health team made the decision to humanely euthanize Coby on Dec. 30 after his health significantly declined.

The dog had chronic arthritis in his neck and secondary spinal cord compression. Coby was receiving treatment from an Ohio State University veterinary orthopedic surgeon but his neck lesions destabilized over the past couple of weeks, resulting in severe neurological signs, according to the Columbus Zoo.

Coby received an MRI but the veterinarian found the prognosis for corrective surgery was poor which led to the decision to humanely euthanize the dog.

Coby was born in June 2013 and arrived at the Columbus Zoo as a puppy. As a cheetah ambassador dog, he helped raise cheetahs, Bibi and Zemba. He also mentored other cheetah ambassador dogs at the zoo.

“His playful and calm demeanor made him one of the best baby-raising helpers in Animal Programs, where he helped socialize otters, warthogs, foxes and many others,” the Columbus Zoo wrote on Facebook Thursday.

Zoo officials said Coby loved greeting guests who came to the zoo. He was also a go-to companion to sit with animals who recently underwent surgery.

“Though we are devastated, we are confident he has found a sunny spot across the rainbow bridge, napping happily and keeping an eye on his loved ones,” the Columbus Zoo wrote on Facebook.