Texas zoo gets black jaguar to replace Bengal tiger euthanized in January

AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — The Amarillo Zoo in Texas will introduce a new attraction this weekend.

Last month, the zoo obtained a male, black jaguar from a sanctuary in California. The jaguar, named, Bagheera, will make his debut on Saturday.

He is trained with simple behaviors to aid in veterinary procedures," the city of Amarillo said in a Facebook post. "These include: 'lay down,' 'sit', 'up', and 'rollover'. These behaviors also allow Zoo staff to do daily physical checks on him to make sure he is strong and healthy."

Jaguars are the largest big cats in Central and South America. They weigh up to 250 pounds and can be more than 7 feet long. They are excellent climbers and swimmers and can even hunt in water.

Dylan Long with the Amarillo Zoo said even though the animal is black, you can still see the jaguar's spots in the sunlight.

Savannah, a Bengal tiger, was euthanized in January. She had been battling arthritis and kidney disease, and had lived at the zoo since 2010.

According to City Councilman Eddie Sauer, the zoo was trying to get a tiger, but it went to another facility.