Phoenix Zoo mourns loss of Sierra the mountain lion

Sierra and her sister, Mystic, arrived at the zoo in 2008 as orphaned cubs.

February 27, 2025

Sierra the mountain lion died this week. Phoenix Zoo

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The Phoenix Zoo lost one of its longtime residents this week.

Sierra, a mountain lion, was humanely euthanized due to advanced renal failure.

Sierra and her sister, Mystic, came to the zoo as cubs in 2008 from South Dakota. Their mother had been killed by a hunter, "leading wildlife officials to search for and find the sisters and five other cubs, who never would have had a chance of survival in the wild," said a post on the zoo's Facebook page. "It has been a pleasure to see them grow since their rescue in 2008. Mountain lions typically live up to only 10 years in the wild, but we were fortunate to have almost two decades with Sierra. The keepers admired her calm, yet bold personality and enjoyed the challenge of gaining her trust."

Sadly, Sierra passed just weeks before she was due to move into her new habitat. Big Cats of Arizona: A Bridge to Arizona Wilderness is a $5 million project that will open to the public in April. It will provide a home for Mystic and the zoo's two jaguars, Caipora and Saban.

The exhibit, which features multiple viewing angles and windows, will improve the visibility of the cats for the guests. It also includes the Zoo’s first-ever “catwalk,” allowing guests to walk directly below the big cats as they move overhead in the space.

“Big Cats of Arizona is an exciting and necessary expansion that will not only enhance the well-being of these incredible animals but also provide unparalleled experience for our guests,” Bert Castro, president and CEO of the Phoenix Zoo, said in a press release. “Mountain lions and jaguars are vital parts of Arizona’s ecosystem, yet they are rarely seen in the wild. This new habitat will allow us to educate the public about their historical ranges and the importance of conserving these species for future generations.”

Mystic will remain out on the Arizona Trail until it's time to move her into the new habitat. She and the jaguars will be off display to let them acclimate to their new home before the April opening.

Jennifer Goldberg is the Senior Editor of Culture at Phoenix New Times. She joined the New Times staff in February 2016. In her role, Jennifer writes and publishes profiles of both local and regional musicians, previews upcoming performances and provides guides on the best of Phoenix’s entertainment scene. She also oversees the Best of Phoenix. Jennifer previously worked for Jewish News of Greater Phoenix. During her career, Jennifer has received awards from the Arizona Press Club, the Arizona Newspaper Association and the American Jewish Press Association. She holds a bachelor’s of arts in English from Arizona State University.

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