The John Ball Zoo recently announced the passing of its female Canada lynx, Norrie, after a hard-fought battle with cancer.
Norrie was first diagnosed this past April when a mass was found in her spleen. Our Zoo Veterinarian, Dr. Ryan Colburn, and his team worked with Blue Pearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital to surgically remove the cancer and formulate a chemotherapy plan. She initially responded well to treatment, however, it was noticed that her health began to deteriorate, and during a recent diagnostic exam, Dr. Ryan found that the cancer was no longer responding to treatment. After evaluating all of the potential options, considering her prognosis, and evaluating her quality of life, the difficult decision was made to go forward with humane euthanasia.
Norrie was four-years-old, born at Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Park, and was the first Canada lynx to come to the zoo in February of 2018.
John Ball Zoo participates in the Canada lynx SSP (Species Survival Plan), through which Norrie and Thor were selected to breed. In May of 2020, Norrie gave birth to the first Canada lynx kitten to be born at the John Ball Zoo and was a phenomenal first-time mother. Zoo officials noted that she had a very distinct personality, certain keepers that she favored, and was a wonderful ambassador for the Canada lynx species.
