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When you are surrounded by so much life, there are sure to also be seasons of farewells.
This page is dedicated to the animals that have lived and thrived at the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park. The animals that have left footprints on all of our hearts, whose loss brings tears of sadness as well as tears of joy because of the beautiful lives that they led.
Sheila, the emu, passed away on Friday, October 20th, 2023. Sheila hatched in New Mexico in 1997, and joined us here at the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park in September of 2014. She lived to be 26 years old and was with us for 9 years. In those 9 years, she showed us her gumption and energy. Sheila was always ready for a snack and enjoyed racing the guests and keepers from one end of her habitat to the other end to get her evening meals. Sheila loved when the keepers gave her a shower on hot days and refilled her giant kitty pool to sit in. We all loved Sheila, and we will miss her deep drumming sound and curmudgeon personality.
Triton, our bull elk, was born in 2002. He was our gentle giant, a calming presence at the park, and a regal bull elk that lived the majority of his life at the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park. He joined us as a 4 year old bull and passed away at 21 years old. He was a favorite among the keepers because of his calm demeanor and quirky personality and attitude. In his last years as a geriatric elk, we spoiled him with soft fruits and vegetables as well as giving supplements that eased his arthritis and aches and pains. He will be deeply missed.
Juno, our Arctic Wolf Hybrid, was born in 2013 and joined our little family on February 15, 2015. She came to us with her packmate Loki, an Arctic Wolf hybrid who passed away in July of 2021. Juno was a high content wolf hybrid and excellent ambassador for wolfkind. She helped form and bind our wolf pack that consisted of Loki, Lycan, and herself. She was shy and timid at times, but she was also playful, rambunctious, and the absolute sweetest girl there ever was. Though her original packmates had passed before her, she did not spend long on her own. Thankfully we were able to find Socrates, a male wolf hybrid, who became a great companion to her. We were devastated at losing her on June 19, 2022. Though she is gone, her pawprint left a mark on all her keepers’ hearts.
Grace joined our family at the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park in December 2005.
She was born at the Hillcrest Park Zoo in Clovis, New Mexico in June of 2002.
Grace was a fixture in the park for 17 beautiful years. When she was younger,
she could often be seen up in the oak brush trees found throughout her habitat.
Finding her sometimes became like a game of hide and seek. Bobcats are solitary animals; thus, Grace lived her life alone in her habitat in peace and quiet without
having to fight for habitat or food. As she got older, Grace did start to slow down, but even after she had lost her sight, Grace could still be seen hunting small creatures like chipmunks, mice, and voles. Some of the staff referred to her as Amazing Grace, she never let her lack of sight hinder her. Unfortunately, we said goodbye to Grace on
May 9, 2022. She passed away just shy of 20 years old. Grace was a quiet and calm presence at the wildlife park who will be deeply missed by staff and guests of the
park.
Loki joined the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park family on February 17, 2015, at the age of 4 years old. He arrived bonded to our female wolf Juno who was 2 years old. They were rescued from St. Louis, Missouri for being owned illegally as pets within city limits. The Texas Wolfdog Project brought them to us, and they have lived happily here. Loki was true to his name; he was spunky, naughty, silly, and mischievous. He kept the keepers on their toes, but also listened and often sat for the keepers at feeding times. Typically, wolves can live anywhere from 1 to 9 years out in the wild and can live 10 to 15 years in captivity. We are so happy that we could give Loki a relaxing life for 6 wonderful years. Our hearts were deeply saddened to say goodbye to him on July 23rd, 2021.
Lycan was born on February 7, 2010 and joined our family here at the Wildlife Park in August of 2012 from the state of Oklahoma. Before he came to us, he had been hit by a car leading to surgery and several rods and plates being placed inside of his back left leg. Typically, wolves can live anywhere from 1 to 9 years out in the wild and can live 10 to 15 years in captivity. We feel extremely lucky and blessed to have had Lycan with us for nine wonderful years.
Though he was part wolf, Lycan was a gentle and calm presence here at the Wildlife Park. He greeted his care team with a goofy grin and heart warming howl every morning. Toward the end of his life, he did slow down quite a bit, but continued to be such a sweet wolf excited for some tasty treats and a nice frolic with his packmates Loki and Juno. The end of Lycan’s life was filled with even more treats and love from our zookeepers. We knew that it was time to say goodbye when his quality of life went drastically downhill. Two of our keepers were with him as he crossed the rainbow bridge on July 12, 2021.
Sydney, the Emu, passed away December 26, 2020. We never knew how old Sydney truly was. He was the emu found running around Reservoir Hill behind the hot springs.
In the wilds of Australia, emu can live upwards of 10 to 20 years, but in captivity, they can live 25 to 35 years.
This picture is one of our favorites, he was such an amazing creature. Some may think that a bird would have no personality...how wrong that is. Sydney was the most loving and affectionate bird. He adored having a good beak, head, and neck rub; and was often seen snuggling one of his adoring zookeepers.
