(Schnecksville, PA) – Lehigh Valley Zoo is deeply saddened by the loss of 12-year-old raccoon, Titan, who has lived at the zoo for almost nine years.

During his yearly exam this past October, Titan was diagnosed with a bladder tumor. Unfortunately, surgery was not an option in his case, and he began taking medications to help manage his condition. Veterinary and Animal Care staff closely monitored his condition and evaluated his welfare on a regular basis. The difficult decision was recently made to euthanize Titan when it became apparent that he was showing signs of discomfort and a diminished quality of life that could no longer be managed by medications.

Titan became a resident of LV Zoo in 2014 after authorities discovered him being kept as a personal pet. In Pennsylvania, it is illegal to own a raccoon without the proper permits. When Titan came to the zoo, he was overweight after previously enjoying a diet that was not appropriate for a raccoon — including a regular treat of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. The zoo’s Animal Care staff implemented a plan to get him to a healthy weight and engage him in a more active lifestyle. His favorite treats became grapes and cantaloupe, and he often seen interacting with his enrichment, especially his pool.

Titan was a popular resident at the zoo and a joy to watch climbing around, interacting with guests. He will be sorely missed. LV Zoo continues to have one other raccoon among its residents – Meeko, an 11-year-old female ambassador animal who is the feature of the racoon encounters offered at the zoo.

LV Zoo is open seven days per week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information and tickets are available at www.lvzoo.org.

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As a member-supported non-profit organization, Lehigh Valley Zoological Society was founded in 2004, but it has been treasured community landmark for centuries. Located in the Lehigh Valley’s Trexler Game Preserve, the mission of the Lehigh Valley Zoo is to connect its community with nature to empower people to protect wildlife. We have achieved our mission and educated more than five million people. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Lehigh Valley Zoo hosts year-round, family-friendly events and activities, educational programs, and camps. To learn more about Lehigh Valley Zoo, we invite you to visit our website, www.lvzoo.org, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.