(Michigan City, IN) - Washington Park Zoo is mourning the loss of their 16-year-old resident cougar, Willow.

 

The zoo announced her death Tuesday afternoon.

 

According to zoo officials, Willow was battling a brief illness forcing the animal care staff to make the difficult decision to euthanize her when it became clear that recovery was no longer possible.

 

Willow came to the zoo in 2009 as a cub.  She spent most of her life with another female cougar, Baby, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 19.

 

Cougars, typically, live 8 to 13 years in the wild but they can live over 20 years in captivity.