Columbus Zoo mourns loss of Coby, dog who played with, helped raise cheetahs
The first question — “Why did a world-class zoo need a simple Labrador retriever as an ambassador when it has had so many endangered animals and Jack Hanna?” — can be partially answered by looking at images of Coby, an 8-year-old dog, running with the cheetahs.
Racing playfully through the cheetah run followed by one of the agile cats, Coby, holding some kind of chew toy, looks thrilled to be on exhibit.
And both species appear enthralled with each other, despite their obvious differences. (Cheetahs can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in three seconds, as fast as the top sports cars. Coby, maybe a fourth of that.)
Combining dogs with cheetahs is a common practice now, and Columbus was one of the first zoos to employee it. Cheetahs often are more timid and reclusive than larger wild cats, and appear to thrive when paired with compatible canines.
Coby’s career began when, as a puppy, he helped raise two cheetahs, Bibi and Zemba. Over time he worked with about 17 others.
Sadly, the 8 1/2-year-old, ailing from chronic arthritis in his neck and secondary spinal cord compression, had to be euthanized Dec. 30.
Coby’s role went far beyond helping cheetahs. He mentored other companion dogs, Cash and Cullen, with whom he spent hours playing and dozing. They will carry on his ambassador role as a front-facing symbol of the zoo’s efforts to rehabilitate and protect endangered species.
Coby was the go-to canine companion for animals who had undergone surgery. That, along with snuggling warmly with newly-arrived baby animals, helped him become a favorite of zoo guests.
“Coby deserves an obituary. He was one of the most special animals. You can tell in his eyes he is just the most gentle soul,” said Emily Yunker, one of several animal program specialists at the zoo who worked with Coby and brought him home at night.
“He would put himself to bed. He loved sunbathing. He would just close his eyes and let us know he was ready” for anything required of him, she said.
“This is not our most our exotic animal, but he quickly became people’s favorite. People like watching the dogs run more than the cheetahs,” Yunker said.
The zoo’s Facebook page put it well: “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.”
Yunker estimates he helped raise at least 19 cheetahs.
“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 zoo’s Facebook ended.
Followers of the page were encouraged to leave memories. More than 500 already had done so as of Friday morning, including:
“What a good boy he was! Sounds like he arrived in time to greet Ms. Betty White when she crossed over the next day. How sweet.”
And another: “May he continue from the other side by welcoming the ones that will come after him.” dnarciso@dispatch.com @Deannarciso