BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (AP) — The last remaining Mexican gray wolf at the Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek has died.
The zoo announced this week that the 14-year-old wolf named Phoenix was euthanized Sept. 19 because he had deteriorating health issues relating to advanced age. The zoo says the median life expectancy of a Mexican gray wolf is 11 years.
The Mexican gray wolf is listed as an endangered species.
Phoenix was part of a group of eight wolf pups born at the zoo in 2002. The four females went on to live at other accredited facilities and the males lived out their lives at Binder Park Zoo. The zoo says that it expects to be home to more wolves in the future.
