It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Khumbu, our beloved snow leopard, on 3 August 2025 at the remarkable age of 21. Khumbu passed peacefully, surrounded by the keepers who had cared for him with love and dedication from the very beginning.
Khumbu holds a special place in Billabong Zoo’s history as our very first big cat. He arrived from Mogo Zoo in November 2011 for the grand opening of our Snow Leopard Exhibit, instantly capturing hearts with his majestic presence and playful nature.
After enjoying six months soaking up the Port Macquarie lifestyle, Khumbu transferred to Taronga Zoo in 2012 to meet his lady-love, the stunning Samarra. The pair returned together to Billabong Zoo in 2015, where they lived out their days surrounded by the care of their devoted keepers and the admiration of thousands of visitors, including families who travelled from as far as New Zealand just to see them.
Khumbu was not only an ambassador for his species, promoting the vital conservation message and amazing work of The Snow Leopard Trust, but also a source of joy, laughter, and inspiration. In his younger years, he was famously mischievous: from playing with rope and wearing it like a wig, demolishing pot plants in record time, tossing them about the habitat and his deep love for cardboard boxes and lavender. In his senior years, Khumbu developed a fondness for catnip and never lost his love of grooming sessions.
While our hearts are heavy, we choose to celebrate the incredible life Khumbu led and the profound impact he had on so many. We invite our community to share their favourite memories and photos of Khumbu, and to consider a donation to the Snow Leopard Trust to help protect this magnificent and endangered species.
We would also like to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of our Christy, Brooke, Brad and all of our dedicated zoo keepers, whose commitment and compassion ensure that animals like Khumbu receive the highest standard of care throughout their lives with us here at Billabong Zoo. We would also like to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of the heroes behind the scenes, our maintenance team, whose innovative modifications to our night house enabled Khumbu to voluntarily participate in health checks and enjoy regular grooming, which he adored., To our exceptional veterinary team, we thank you for your care, kindness and professionalism. Your final act of compassion ensured Khumbu’s farewell was gentle, dignified, and filled with love.
Khumbu’s legacy will live on in the conservation work he inspired, the memories he created, and the hearts he touched.
