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Shasta VI, the live cougar mascot of the University of Houston (UH), died from a progressive spinal disease on Thursday, a university-issued press release said.
According to UH, Shasta VI, who called the Houston Zoo home, served as mascot for a decade and was witness to the resurgence of some of the university’s athletic programs such as the football and men’s basketball teams.
“Shasta brought joy to so many … we mourn Shasta’s passing away,” Dr. Renu Khator, UH president and system chancellor, said in a tweet. "The legacy lives on.”
UH’s Twitter account tweeted that Shasta VI epitomized every thing about the 95-year-old institution, which is located in Houston’s Third Ward neighborhood.
“He represented the spirit and tenacity of UH’s students and alumni, and personified the resilience and strength of the University,” the university said in a seven-tweet thread. “Thank you, Shasta VI, for serving as a symbol of Cougar pride for our Houston community.”
The school’s release said that Shasta VI came to the Bayou City in December 2011 after he and his two brothers were rescued in Washington state after their mother’s death.
More than three months later, according to the release, the UH Alumni Association and the Houston Zoo formed a partnership to declare Shasta VI as the university’s official mascot.
The sixth live cougar to represent UH, he held the distinction as the first live male to fill the role, per the release.
Houston ABC affiliate KTRK reported that Shasta VI was an integral part of the school’s traditions, with one of his duties being the safeguarding of graduating Cougars’ class rings in his den for a day.
According to UH, it has handpicked a live cougar to help represent the scarlet red and albino white since 1947.