Georgia the porcupine dies on New Year’s Eve

A long-time Saskatoon resident whom many people visited over the years has passed away.

Georgia the North American porcupine spent 16 years enthralling and teaching visitors to the Saskatoon Forestry Park and Zoo. She dazzled people with her quills and educated students about the importance of her species and habitat.

She died on Dec. 31 after spending a few days being treated by veterinarians and the zoo’s animal care team, according to a release by Saskatoon Forestry Farm.

“Georgia was special,” shared zoo manager Jeff Mitchell, who said she will be missed.

The average life expectancy of a porcupine like Georgia is eight to 10 years if in the wild and up to 18 in captivity.