Members of the Zoo Miami family are mourning the death of a koala who spent more than 15 years at the park.
Cobber, a male Queensland koala, died at 19 years of age, Zoo Miami officials said Thursday.
The popular koala, whose name is Australian slang for “friend,” arrived at Zoo Miami back in April of 1999.
"Though this beautiful animal will be profoundly missed, the entire Zoo Miami family feels fortunate and proud to have provided him with a long and comfortable life that ended with dignity," Zoo Miami said in a statement.
The decision was made to euthanize him due to advanced heart disease and crippling arthritis. Male koalas rarely live past age 10 in the wild.
