An orphaned cougar cub that spent a wild night exploring Courtenay鈥檚 city streets in late April has died.

A press release issued by the Greater Vancouver Zoo said the young female cougar was thin but in overall good health, when it was delivered to the zoo.

Efforts were concentrated on making her feel comfortable in her new surrounding and increasing her weight.

Her health rapidly declined late last week, and ultimately saw her passing early Friday morning.

An initial examination revealed long-standing accumulation of fluid in the chest as the probable cause, however the press release noted final necropsy results are pending.

The cougar was seen thoughout the Courtenay area - it made its way into the glassdoors of the BC Liquor Store on Cliffe Avenue before running across the street to to the Courtenay River, where conservation officers tracked the animal down.

The cub was transferred via air from Nanaimo to the zoo on the advice of a wildlife veterinarian.

The Greater Vancouver Zoo is home to several orphaned and rehabilitated animals that cannot be released back into their native habitat due to injury, illness, human habituation and a variety of other reasons.