The Cougar Mountain Zoo is planning a memorial service for its only cougar March 26. Nashi, their 17-year-old mountain lion died Feb. 24.

“It’s a tough thing to lose any animal, but he was so special,” said curator Robyn Barfoot. “He kind of made your day when he’d purr at you or chirp at you.”

For an American Lion, he lived a long life. Over the past few months he had slowed down, and the staff expected the end was coming soon, she said. “I was just waiting for him to tell us.”

In response to Nashi’s death, the zoo is trying to raise about $10,000 to modify the cage for cubs and to buy a pair, if not more.

Barfoot has been looking for cougars for a while, but few zoos are breeding them and laws have changed about taking in abandoned kittens. The current exhibit is ample room for four cats.

An abandoned cub from Minnesota, Nashi lived in Issaquah most of his life. When the zoo first got him, he was so sick they wondered if he’d survive.

When he recovered, he was quite the local celebrity, even having a chance to sit in the mayor’s seat.

“He was quite unique, and he definitely captured many hearts,” Barfoot said.

Nashi was also a talented cat, posing for several photo shoots, including a soap label.

“He never let it get to his head,” Barfoot said. “He was very down to earth and he spoke to everyone.”

He was also known for being a gorgeous cat, with beautiful lines and a friendly temperament, she said. “He was a fantastic ambassador for wild cougars.”

Nashi is short for Nashidoita, which is Blackfoot Indian for “spirit of the mountains.”