ROYAL OAK (WWJ) -- The Detroit Zoo is dealing with the loss of one of its long-time animals just ahead of the holidays.
On Thursday afternoon, the zoo announced via Instagram that Erin, a female lion that had been housed there for over a decade, had passed away.
She was estimated to have been around 20-years-old, and lived "much longer that wild lions typically do," according to the zoo's post.
Erin was rescued from a Kansas junkyard in 2009 and brought to the Royal Oak location, where she became the companion to Simba, a fellow rescue lion who was once owned by the Qatar royal family.
In recent years, Erin had started showing signs of advanced age, and her condition was being closely monitored by the Detroit Zoo’s staff to ensure she was comfortable.
On Wednesday, the staff made the difficult decision to euthanize Erin after she had shown a continued decline in both her health and mobility.
“In her prime, Erin was a spunky cat who loved a good run in the yard, and she was an amazing companion to Simba. You could often find her on the heated rocks or lounging in the sunshine,” said the Detroit Zoo's Associate Curator of Mammals Betsie Meister.
The oldest lion in the pride, the Detroit Zoo says that Erin was beloved by staff and guests alike, and will be greatly missed.
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