It’s with a heavy heart that we share the passing of our beloved cougar, Rosie.
Rosie was rescued as a cub in Invermere, B.C., after being hit by a vehicle and suffering head and eye injuries. After full recovery at Invermere Veterinary Hospital, she was brought to the Greater Vancouver Zoo for lifelong care, as her mother was missing and she couldn’t survive in the wild alone.
Here, she lived with another cougar Rocket who shares a very similar story. Rocket is a male cougar who was rescued as an orphaned cub near Williams Lake, B.C., during a -30° cold spell, after his mother was hit by a car. Unable to survive alone, he was brought to the Greater Vancouver Zoo, where he was nursed back to health. With the support from our community, we have been able to provide them with companionship and a permanent home where they are cherished.
We are deeply saddened to share that during the move to their newly renovated habitat, Rosie the cougar did not fully recover from sedation. Despite immediate and intensive efforts from our Animal Health & Welfare team, she could not be resuscitated. A full necropsy was performed, which revealed no evidence of significant underlying disease, infectious conditions, or capture myopathy. The exact cause remains unknown.
Despite her set-backs, Rosie has helped share an important message about the challenges wild animals face and the role we can play in protecting them. Rosie was a deeply loved member of our zoo family, and her loss is felt profoundly by the team who cared for her throughout her life.
In the days ahead, our focus turns to Rocket, Rosie’s fellow cougar. Adjusting to a new habitat while also experiencing the loss of a companion is a significant transition. Our animal care team is providing Rocket with extra attention and closely monitoring his wellbeing to ensure he feels secure and supported in his new space. Enrichment, observation, and daily care are being prioritized to help him adjust successfully.
Rosie’s legacy will continue through Rocket, as his story reminds us of the importance of conservation and coexistence with wildlife.
