Everyone in this area — along with many across the world — knew who Cinder the Porcupine was. A survivor of the devastating Texas Panhandle wildfires that swept through the area in February and March 2024, Cinder was a symbol of the toughness, resoluteness and also kindness of people who live in West Texas and beyond.
Cinder, whose story touched many as the Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Amarillo received support for her from around the world, was put down Monday evening, July 7.
Over the past year, specialists donated their time to the animal’s care, including stem cell surgery and other treatments, and she enjoyed her new life. But sadly, eventually her injuries caught up with her, and she was recently diagnosed with a metabolic bone disease as a result of severe burns, the center said. It was decided, after she quit eating on her own, that it was more ethical to euthanize her than to put her through any more pain and suffering.
“Yesterday afternoon, Cinder began moaning in pain — something she’s never done, not even when she was covered in third-degree burns,” WWWRC said in a Facebook post Monday, July 7. The center said once they got Cinder’s pain managed, they took an X-ray, which revealed she had broken both of her back legs. Even though the porcupine had been on “strict cage rest” since her last surgery, the disease led to her bones becoming dangerously brittle. “We have to do what’s right for Cinder, even though it breaks our hearts.”
WWWRC added in the post, “We know there’s a lot happening right now, especially with the flood and the immense loss in Texas. We truly hate to bring more pain into this already difficult time.”
To say goodbye, the center had a livestream video event where Cinder’s fans and her team could gather to see her one last time.
The Facebook post continued: “You’ve all been with her from the start — cheering her on, sending baby food, socks, prayers and well wishes. … Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. It’s been an emotionally draining few weeks, and with everything going on, our team is feeling the weight of this season.”
A bright spot after wildfire devastation: Cinder rescued and given new home and treatment
In 2024, Cinder was found alone with life-threatening injuries in a field by the rehabilitation center’s team, who had ventured out to help animals displaced or injured by the crippling wildfires that ravaged more than a million acres in one the largest such incidents recorded in Texas.
The porcupine was pregnant and lost her baby, which was almost full-term, but she gained a caring and loving home at WWWRC and had life-saving treatment to her body and paws.
Though she had compromised eyesight and the loss of pads on her feet, Cinder showed remarkable progress and joined the center’s education team as an ambassador for her species.
Cinder was known for her small gloves she wore to protect her paws and her spiny charm. People across the world rallied to help, sending funds and buying t-shirts and other items to aid her recovery. Cinder enjoyed being famous and made herself at home, getting into areas and winning hearts along the way.
She was presented with a very custom-designed home with all the amenities a porcupine could want, including logs, vegetation and a delightful diet of smashed carrots and sweet potatoes. She was carried around by the staff and became a favorite of visitors to the wildlife rehabilitation center.
Cinder will remain an ambassador to WWWRC, and anyone wishing to donate to the center in her memory can do so online at https://wildwestwildlife.com.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Wildlife center says goodbye to Cinder, porcupine who survived Texas Panhandle wildfires
Reporting by Nell Williams, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
