Zollman Zoo Mourns Loss of Two Beloved Animals

The free zoo near Rochester, Minnesota, has experienced the passing of a grey fox and a white-tailed deer in recent weeks.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:51pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph depicting the soft, warm atmosphere of a zoo enclosure, with blurred shapes of trees, fences, and a hint of an animal in the background, conveying a sense of tranquility and connection with nature.The Zollman Zoo near Rochester, Minnesota mourns the loss of two beloved animals, reminding visitors of the importance of community-based wildlife education.Rochester Today

Zollman Zoo, a free donation-based zoo located near Rochester, Minnesota, has sadly announced the passing of two of its beloved animals - a 13-year-old grey fox and a 7-year-old white-tailed deer. The zoo shared that the difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize the animals due to declining health and quality of life. The animals had provided educational opportunities and inspired visitors at the zoo.

Why it matters

Zollman Zoo is one of the few free zoos in Minnesota, offering the public a chance to see and learn about a variety of animals up close. The loss of these two animals is felt by the zoo staff and the community who have enjoyed visiting them over the years.

The details

The grey fox, born in 2012, had started exhibiting signs of vision loss, hearing loss, and potential olfactory loss, leading the staff to make the difficult decision to euthanize her. The white-tailed deer, at 7 years old, had also experienced a decline in health and quality of life, prompting the zoo to humanely euthanize him as well. Both animals had exceeded their average lifespans in captivity and the wild.

  • In January 2026, the zoo announced the loss of their grey fox.
  • The grey fox was euthanized on March 29, 2026.
  • The white-tailed deer was euthanized in the previous week.

The players

Zollman Zoo

A free donation-based zoo located near Rochester, Minnesota, that is home to over 80 different animals and provides educational opportunities for visitors.

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The takeaway

The loss of these two animals is a reminder of the dedication and care the Zollman Zoo staff puts into providing a home for a variety of animals and educating the public. Despite the difficult decisions, the zoo remains committed to its mission of connecting people with nature and conservation.