Jasper, a 4-year-old cougar living at the Como Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul, is adjusting to life without his eyes.
Jasper first came to Como Zoo in 2018. He was found alone in California after his mother was shot and killed by a hunter. In June 2020, zoo staff started noticing changes in his eyes and eyesight.Jasper first came to Como Zoo in 2018. He was found alone in California after his mother was shot and killed by a hunter. In June 2020, zoo staff started noticing changes in his eyes and eyesight.
Erzar says the changes came on due to a genetic condition that restricted blood flow to his retinas. The condition made his eyesight progressively worse. Erzar says zoo staff started performing procedures every few months to try and ease the progression of the condition, but it progressed and started impacting his health.
As his condition worsened, zoo staff made the difficult decision to remove Jasper’s eyes to improve his quality of life. They performed the procedure in April and Jasper quickly adapted to his new normal. "Honestly, nothing really changed for him.
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