Shasta, the Houston Zoo's cougar and UH mascot, has died at the age of 11

HOUSTON — It's a sad day for folks at the Houston Zoo, the University of Houston and countless Houstonians who have visited the zoo through the years.

Shasta, the zoo's beloved cougar and UH icon, has died at the age of 11.

Zoo veterinarians had been treating Shasta for progressive spinal disease and declining kidney function, which is common in older felines. The zoo said his health deteriorated rapidly this week and they made the heartbreaking decision to euthanize him Thursday.

“Shasta has been a cherished member of our Zoo family and an icon for the University of Houston for over a decade. We are all deeply saddened by this loss,” Kevin Hodge, the zoo's vice president of animal programs, said in a statement.

UH also paid tribute to Shasta on their Twitter page.

Read more: https://www.khou.com/article/life/animals/houston-zoo-uh-cougar-shasta-dies/285-7a977309-11b4-4e0c-a817-141aed6ecea2

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