Tree kangaroo dies of old age at Zoo Miami

Zoo Miami has lost another animal.

Patty, the longest-living Matschie’s tree kangaroo, has died at 27.

“Unfortunately, her extremely advanced age had begun to take a toll on her,” the zoo said in a statement on Wednesday.

She lost her appetite. She lost weight. She didn’t move well. And she had her share of gastrointestinal issues.

Despite medications and treatment, the tree kangaroo’s health continued to decline. The zoo euthanized Patty on Wednesday.

Patty, a mother of four, was born at Riverbanks Zoo in South Carolina in 1988. Zoo Miami acquired the animal a year later.

Patty may be best known for her artistic skill. She held a brush in her paw to paint and her works have been put on exhibit.

Tree kangaroos are generally solitary animals, but moms have strong bonds with their offspring.

Zoo Miami has mourned several animals over the last couple of years. Other deaths have included a severely constipated elephant, a beloved gorilla and a cute koala.

The most recent death: a giraffe who got his head stuck between two posts earlier this year.

This story was originally published January 13, 2016 at 2:58 PM with the headline "Tree kangaroo dies of old age at Zoo Miami."