Young mountain lion suddenly dies at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo suddenly lost one of its young mountain lions, and zoo staff is keeping an eye on her sibling because of a possible object in her stomach.

The zoo said Tuesday that one of its young mountain lions, Sequoia, passed away Sunday because of post-surgical complications from being spayed.

Sequoia could have passed because of an allergic reaction to her sutures, zoo staff said. Sequoia's sister, Adira, had the same surgery and so veterinary staff are monitoring her too. An X-ray showed that Adira may have a wire-like object in her stomach, but it may pass naturally.

The two sisters were spayed on Jan. 9.

“Sequoia’s passing has shocked us,” said Bob Chastain, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo president and CEO. “Even after 25 years in the profession, this doesn’t get easier. It is a reminder that no medical procedure is simple or without risk. As humans in this day of advanced medicine where miracles are performed every day, this is a sobering reminder.”