Siegfried and Roy's white lion dies during surgery at Toledo Zoo

TOLEDO, Ohio, June 27 (UPI) -- Legend, a 14-year-old white lion of the famed Siegfried and Roy circus act, has died.

The cat died of apparent cardiac arrest on Friday, June 26, during a medical procedure at the Toledo Zoo. Legend was one of two white tigers from Siegfried and Roy currently on loan at the Ohio zoo.

"The Toledo Zoo is saddened to report that Legend, one of two white lions on loan from Siegfried and Roy, died today following a diagnostic procedure," zoo officials wrote in a Facebook post. "The Toledo Zoo is home to Legend's brother, Courage, who is 14 and will continue to reside in Tembo Trail."

Zookeepers had noticed the cat's left hind leg becoming lame and decided to investigate. Veterinarians on staff operated on three overgrown toenails and an inflamed nail bed. The lion's heart monitor indicated no problems throughout the entire procedure.

With the treatments concluded, the cat was taken off anesthesia. But while waiting on the drugs to wear off -- and while still on oxygen -- Legend went into cardiac and respiratory arrest.

"Animal deaths are always difficult, but Legend's is even more so because of its sudden and unexpected nature," Dr. Ric Berlinski, zoo chief veterinarian, told the Toledo Blade.

"We don't have a definite cause of death yet," added Andi Norman, head of public relations at the zoo. "There's always a risk when animals are put under anesthesia. However, it was decided that the discomfort that Legend was in outweighed the risk."