Mill Mountain Zoo euthanizes resident cougar, 'Nina'
ROANOKE, Va. – One of the longest-tenured animals at Mill Mountain Zoo has been euthanized after getting sick.
Nina the mountain lion was 14 years old.
She spent the first year of her life with celebrity zookeeper Jack Hannah. He donated her to Mill Mountain, where's she been for the past 13 years.
Zoo staff said Nina had a non-regenerative bone marrow disease, and that she truly was a "special cougar."
Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.
About the Author Rachel Lucas headshot
Watch Rachel anchor weekdays during 10 News at 5, 5:30, 6 and 7 p.m. Rachel also specializes in health reporting and provides daily reports during HealthWatch. A Southwest Virginia native, Rachel takes pride in covering local news for the place she calls home.
Firefighters, law enforcement assaulted, two arrested following vehicle fire in Giles County 68th Annual Sidewalk Art Show held in Roanoke Manhunt continues for suspect in connection with killing of Virginia deputy Mother to honor son lost to gun violence on graduation day The crisis hitting Roanoke’s St. Francis House food pantry Danville business recovering after having thousands of dollars of clothes stolen Meet the newest ambassador at Wildlife Center of Virginia Have the recent rains helped water levels at SML? Roanoke County locks in $693M budget 4th annual fly-in at New River Valley Airport aims to spark passion for aviation in young people Rain dampens Hillsville Memorial Day Flea Market, but vendors remain optimistic Festival in the Park closes with tribute to Bedford Boys, local D-Day heroes Family fights Virginia Tech plan to move loved ones’ remains, university responds Roanoke Trinket Trade Box removed after vandalism in Grandin Village Southside leaders break ground on $1.6B Microporous facility, bringing 1,800 jobs to the region Food Truck Week kicks off in Roanoke County Leukemia diagnosis pushes Wytheville mother to open indoor playground on Main Street Community honors Ragnar, Oakey’s beloved grief therapy dog 🚂 All aboard for a summer of the Queen of Steam! Community honors Ragnar, Oakey’s beloved grief therapy dog Previous video Next video