RIP Nashi

Cougar dies at Cougar Mountain Zoo; curator plans memorial.

Nashi, the resident cougar of Cougar Mountain Zoo in Issaquah, passed away February 24th. He was 17, which is old for his kind.

I was at the zoo the day before New Year’s Eve, and Nashi wouldn’t come out of his lair. It was a very cold day and staff members said he was starting to feel his age. He was one of the few residents I didn’t get a picture of that day.

As much as I am against the captivity of a lot of mammals, this was a case in which captivity was arguably beneficial. Nashi was orphaned as a cub and gained posh digs at the zoo with a spectacular view of Lake Sammamish.

Cougar Mountain aids in the conservation of some endangered species such as Bengal tigers (they have four magnificent Bengals) and several varieties of lemurs. Their facilities are the cleanest I’ve seen, and they do a lot of education.

There is a memorial for Nashi at the zoo on Saturday, March 26th. Details are at the above link.

From one Coug to another, RIP Nashi. You were part of our community for a long time and a fantastic PR rep for your fellow large kitties.

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In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together;
the leopard will lie down with the baby goat.
The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion,
and a little child will lead them all.
-Isaiah 11:6

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