Izzy the camel, an Eastern Washington animal attraction, has died.

Izzy’s owners, Mickey and Tawnya Richards, shared the news on Izzy’s Facebook page Jan. 24.

“Extremely hard morning for us,” they wrote. “Izzy has been acting odd the last few days so we had a vet come yesterday. He took bloodwork, called us back last night with one of his test results letting us know his kidneys were shutting down and we needed to force him to drink the electrolytes but it wasn’t looking good.

“Mickey went out to give him the electrolytes this a.m. and he growled, as he always does, talking to Mickey, but then took 3 more breaths and then he was gone.

“He was only 18 years old,” they wrote. “We were blessed to have him bring us so much joy for so many years. We loved sharing him for 17 years. We have so many stories that brings so much laughter that we will hold close.

“This is a hard hit for our Mickey and I. If you could keep us in your prayers we’d appreciate it,” they wrote.

Mickey Richards had owned Izzy for 17 years, featuring him in educational programs and farm tours. He made appearances at business openings, nativities, parties and appeared as a “zombie” camel in an episode of the zombie TV series “Z Nation.”

The Capital Press featured Izzy on its front page Jan. 5, in noting that the United Nations has declared 2024 to be the International Year of Camelids.

“He’s used to being mobbed by kids every day, before and after school,” Richards said at the time. “So he adores kids. He loves being in the public. He loves going to fairs or wherever. He loves loud noises, motorcycles, semi-trucks. … It’s fun to watch kids especially, because they just light up.”