California black jaguar Samba dies from rattlesnake bite despite antivenom

Image: Dale Anderson, Project Survival's Cat Haven A black jaguar named Samba at Project Survival's Cat Haven, a wild cat conservation facility in Dunlap, California, has died following a venomous snake bite. The 14-year-old jaguar, born at the sanctuary, was rushed for emergency veterinary care after staff noticed swelling in one leg. Despite receiving antivenom and showing signs of recovery, Samba died during the recovery process. Her death has drawn wider attention as California faces an unusually active rattlesnake season. Here's what happened, and what it says about the risks animals and people are facing this year.What happened to Samba the black jaguar at Cat HavenStaff at Project Survival's Cat Haven first suspected a problem when Samba remained in her den rather than coming out as usual. As sanctuary founder Dale Anderson told ABC News 4, staff then noticed her left paw had swollen to roughly twice the size of her right one, with the swelling extending up her leg. Samba was taken to the Fresno Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center, where veterinarians anaesthetised her and administered two doses of antivenom. Testing had confirmed she had been envenomated, and this m...