Wildwood Zoo Announces Death of “Lexi” the Lynx

MARSHFIELD, WI (OnFocus) – The City of Marshfield Parks & Recreation Department is saddened to announce the passing of Lexi, the female lynx at Wildwood Zoo. Lexi was 19.5 years old, a remarkable age for her species, and considered a geriatric cat.

Recently, Lexi began exhibiting atypical behavior and showed little interest in food. Concerned for her health, zoo staff scheduled a full veterinary exam. During the exam, while under anesthesia, Lexi struggled to tolerate the procedure. Given her advanced age and several preexisting health conditions—including a heart murmur, diabetes, kidney disease, and arthritis—staff made the difficult decision to euthanize her to prevent further suffering.

Lexi had lived at Wildwood Zoo since February 2010, after being transferred from a zoo in Minnesota. She shared the wildcat exhibit with Bets, a senior bobcat who passed away last month. Despite the proximity of their deaths, the two were not related.

Lexi was known for her independent spirit and loved napping in the sunshine, rolling in fresh mulch, and playing with feathers. Her longevity far exceeded the average lifespan of lynx in both human care and the wild, a testament to the care she received at Wildwood Zoo.

Over the past year, Wildwood Zoo has faced the loss of several animals, many of whom were senior residents with age-related illnesses. While these losses have been challenging for both staff and visitors, the zoo takes comfort in knowing that these animals lived long, healthy, and happy lives under their care.

The Parks and Recreation staff thanks the community for its continued support of Wildwood Park and Zoo during this difficult time. Future plans for the wildcat exhibit will be considered as the team moves forward.

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