Oldest Captive Mexican Porcupine Dies at the Lake Superior Zoo
Sad news this week from the Lake Superior Zoo. Juanita, a female Mexican porcupine has died at the age of 27 years old. Juanita was the oldest Mexican porcupine in the captive management population according to the International Species Information System, a world-wide collaborative database for zoos, aquariums and similar conservation-related organizations.
“Having the oldest captive Mexican porcupine is a unique accomplishment for our zoo,” said Maicie Sykes, Director of Animal Management. “The life expectancy for a Mexican porcupine in captivity is about 20 years and in the wild about 15 years. She was born in January of 1987 in Honduras.”
Juanita passed away quietly on November 9th after her health started to deteriorate two weeks previous.
The zoo’s other two Mexican porcupines Rauol and Colargita (Juanita and Rauol’s female offspring) remain on exhibit in the Nocturnal Building.
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