Saying Goodbye to ‘Popcorn’

It’s with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to an old friend – female Turkmenian markhor, ‘Popcorn’.

At 16 years of age, Popcorn was considered very geriatric for her species. Like most geriatric individuals, Popcorn was experiencing a variety of age-related health challenges, including glaucoma, heart disease, and some degenerative changes impacting her motor function. The Animal Care, Health & Welfare (ACHW) team supported her through these challenges with dietary supplements and medications and she was able to maintain a comfort level and quality of life for some time. However, Popcorn began exhibiting worsening neurological and other clinical signs of deteriorating health that were significantly impacting her wellbeing and the ACHW team made the compassionate decision to euthanize her.

Born at the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo on June 16, 2007, we had the pleasure of caring for Popcorn for her entire life. The median life expectancy of Turkmenian markhors under human care is 8.6 years. Having lived twice her expected lifetime is a testament to the exemplary care she received from her dedicated caregivers.

Popcorn will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by her dedicated caregivers and all who came to know her over the years.

Turkmenian markhor ‘Popcorn’