R. I. P. Miguel Hidalgo

From Nola.com:

Miguel Hidalgo, a goat that was a popular resident of the Audubon Zoo's petting zoo, died Friday.

Spokeswoman Sarah Burnette said the goat, known simply as Miguel to thousands of zoo visitors, apparently died of old age. He was 15.

A registered Nigerian dwarf goat, the animal was born in September 1993 at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas, and arrived at Audubon in January 1994.

Nigerian dwarf goats live an average of 12 to 15 years.

Burnette said Miguel was a favorite of zookeepers and visitors alike.

Well known for his long beard or "goatee," he was "always quick to nibble on shirt tails, radio antennas, keys or school bags," she said.

Even though he was a Texas transplant, he was a good goat and a proud papa, too. He has a daughter named June!

H/T to Oyster.