The 5-year-old Arctic fox passed away on August 4, after being found unresponsive by zoo staff.

Timber was a well-loved resident of the Polar Bear Watch area. Remembered fondly for his mischievous personality, he was a favorite with visitors and staff alike. The veterinary staff members are conducting an ongoing investigation into his cause of death.

The zoo had this to say about his recent passing:

“We were all shocked and saddened by this loss. While he wasn’t one of our larger animals, he had a huge effect on our staff and guests. He was a great ambassador for the dynamic changes of the Arctic demonstrating seasonal coat changes to match the surroundings – pure white in winter and dark in the summer. His energy and enthusiasm will be greatly missed.”

— Erin Cantwell, Manager of Mammal Collection and Conservation

Arctic foxes are known for their thick coats of fur that change colors with the seasons. They can go from dappled brown or gray in warm weather to a pristine white coat in the winter. The Maryland Zoo has been home to many Arctic foxes over the years, ever since 1975.

Here's a look back at Timber in action.

Zookeepers and vet techs at the @MarylandZoo have trained this wild arctic fox, Timber, to let them trim his nails, watch how they do it. #Zooanimalshttps://t.co/hNluFZBikD pic.twitter.com/1GfEjDgcK1

— The National Desk (@TND) March 20, 2019

If you'd like to plan a visit to The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, see their website for hours and ticketing information. You can also help out if you can't make the trip, by making a donation online to this wonderful institution.

For more information about Timber, check out the zoo's official press release.

**The photos in this article are courtesy of The Maryland Zoo.

Do you have a favorite memory of Timber? Share it with us in the comments!