CSU: CAM the Ram died of natural causes

CSU’s 24th CAM the Ram mascot, who died Saturday morning before the Rocky Mountain Showdown, did so of natural causes, the university said Monday.

Rambouillet sheep — CAM’s breed — usually live to be 6 to 8 years old, said Kraig Peel, an associate professor of animal sciences at CSU.

CAM 24 served as the university mascot for four years, having been one in a long line of Rambouillet sheep since 1945, when CSU adopted Rams as its official mascot, according to a report in CSU’s Source.

He had been sick for a week and missed Tony Frank’s annual Fall Address and other events. He died at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

The original plan was to have CAM 24’s son CAM Jr. serve as his successor, but Peel said one of CAM Jr.'s half brothers - from the same mother but different father - just had the right personality and temperament to be a mascot, calling him, “well-behaved and ready to go.”

CAM Jr.’s 6-month-old half brother has now taken over the role to become CAM 25, Peel said. He made his first appearance on the sidelines of the Rocky Mountain Showdown Saturday in the previous CAM’s place.

He has, “all the parts of the puzzle to be a great CAM,” he added.

CAM Jr. will now live out his days as a regular Rambouillet sheep, eschewing the mascot duties of his father.

CAM 25 will make his official debut on October 10 when the CSU football team hosts Boise State. As a young Rambouillet, Ram fans will be able to see CAM 25 grow on the sidelines and at university events.

He and his horns will be fully grown by the opening of the new on-campus stadium in 2017, according to the university.

“He’s going to be a beast,” Peel said.