Black Jaguar Dies Following Rattlesnake Bites at California Sanctuary

A 14-to-15-year-old black jaguar named Samba died at Project Survival's Cat Haven in Dunlap, California, on August 24, 2026, after suffering two rattlesnake bites. Despite receiving emergency veterinary care and multiple doses of antivenin, the wild cat passed away after failing to recover from anesthesia.

Staff members first noticed the emergency when Samba began favoring one leg. Upon examination, caregivers discovered her paw had swollen to nearly twice its normal size and identified puncture wounds on her foot and nose. The sanctuary promptly sedated Samba and transported her to an emergency trauma center.

Veterinary staff administered two vials of antivenin to combat the envenomation. Although initial blood work showed promising signs, testing continued to reveal elevated levels of echinocytes, prompting additional medical intervention to stabilize her blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate. Hours into the treatment, Samba stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest, and resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.

The facility's leadership confirmed the loss of the animal, who was born at the sanctuary and resided alongside her sister, Rose.

"We lost our dear, sweet Samba," officials said. "Our Vet team did everything they could to save her but she didn’t make it."

The incident marks the first fatal snakebite in the history of the 93-acre facility located near Kings Canyon National Park, about 45 miles east of Fresno. Founded in 1998, the non-profit sanctuary hosts various feline species, including lions, leopards, and lynxes, while conducting educational outreach programs.

Executive director and founder Dale Anderson reflected on the rarity of such an encounter and the character of the jaguar.

"Usually, the big cats don't have to deal with snake bites because usually they see the snake coming and they run away," Anderson said.

He noted that while the sanctuary has logged roughly six or seven snakebites over the past two decades, all previous animals recovered fully following antivenin administration.

"This is our second cat bite this year," Anderson said. "First time we've had two in the one year."

The region's heavy agricultural footprint and irrigation systems attract rodent populations, creating a steady food supply for native rattlesnakes. Sanctuary workers manage the hazard by relocating snakes rather than exterminating them, having moved 12 to 14 rattlesnakes away from animal enclosures in 2026 alone.

"We're a conservation facility. I don't want to just kill snakes because they live there," Anderson said. "We just need to move them to someplace else on the property away from the cats."

Anderson stressed that total eradication is unfeasible and contrary to the institution's primary purpose.

"In 20 years of operation, Samba is the first cat I’ve ever lost to a snakebite," Anderson said. "We’ve had other cats bitten, and we’ve been able to give them antivenin and they’ve recovered."

Samba's body was sent to the University of California, Davis for a full necropsy to determine the exact physiological causes behind her sudden death.

"Once we get a necropsy, hopefully we’ll have a better idea of why it happened," Anderson said.

He emphasized that the sanctuary must adapt to the environmental risks inherent to its foothill location.

"It’s not feasible," Anderson said.

The founder reiterated that coexistence and safety management remain the facility's guiding operational principles.

"When you live in the foothills, there are inherent dangers. One of them is rattlesnakes, and another is fires," Anderson said. "There are only certain things you can do to protect yourself, and then you just have to mitigate the risks and cope with what happens."

He underscored that the organization remains dedicated to protecting all wildlife species.

"We’re trying to save cats around the world," Anderson said. "We’re here to save animals, not eliminate them."

Anderson concluded by noting that environmental inconveniences do not alter their broader ethical duties.

"Just because it’s inconvenient doesn’t mean I have to kill it," Anderson said.

Samba's death drew widespread expressions of grief from online supporters, while sanctuary staff await the definitive findings from the UC Davis necropsy report.