The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo announced the passing of Katrina, an African leopard, on Wednesday.

Katrina was 17 years old, and her health had begun to decline, the zoo posted Oct. 5. She was under the care of veterinarian Dr. Adam Langston. Due to her age, she succumbed to renal failure.

She was gifted to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo during the Animal Planet series “The Little Zoo That Could” by Jack Hanna as a symbol of hope after the zoo was forced to evacuate during Hurricane Katrina.

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo issued a statement that reads:

“Katrina was that hope and lived her life here at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo capturing the hearts of guests, fans and especially her keepers.

Her keepers fondly referred to her willful nature, which made her participation in training and enrichment special for all involved. Katrina was smart, learning behaviors such as sit, lay down, open mouth and present her hip and tail for injections and blood draws that helped her participate in her own health care.

Katrina will live on in the hearts of our staff and all those who loved her.”