Atka, a 6-year-old moose from Alaska living at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, has died. 

Zoo officials said the male moose died Tuesday after experiencing difficulty recovering from anesthesia after a procedure to fix a loose hoof support. 

In a statement, the zoo called Atka a “unique and inspiring moose.” He came to the zoo when he was 8 weeks old, orphaned and unable to survive on his own in the wild. He filled a void left when the zoo’s previous moose, Tahoma, had died weeks earlier due to age-related issues.

Several years ago, he had a toe amputated to help prevent bone degradation in his hoof. He had done well, but a rubber hoof support came loose on Sunday. While Atka had previously recovered well from procedures requiring anesthesia, this time he required assistance and ultimately died.

“Atka gave us the opportunity to teach people about the moose that live in Colorado,” said animal keeper Payton Chatfield in a statement, “and the importance of protecting the wildlife and wild places in our own backyards.”

Indeed, Zoo CEO Dave Ruhl previously told KRCC having a moose helped highlight what’s right here in Colorado.

“Truly in the Rocky Mountains and the Front Range, we’re blessed with some really, really great wildlife,” he said. “And to be able to provide homes for them and share their story and sort of share their challenges and help people learn what they can do to help them in the wild, that’s a key part of our mission.”

Atka’s death comes shortly after the zoo lost Mochi, a 27-year-old mountain tapir.

“At 1,300 pounds, he (Atka) was one of the largest animals at the zoo,” zoo officials said in a statement. “And he will leave an equally massive impact on his care team, zoo staff, members, donors, and the Colorado Springs community.”