News and Stories

By keepers Amber Leuenberger & Danielle Holste

Joseph, one of the two cougars at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, passed away yesterday at almost 16 years old.  He lived a long life with his brother, Tecumseh, and will be greatly missed.

>Hear from two of Joseph’s keepers, Amber and Danielle, as they remember the beloved cougar, share their favorite memories, and reflect on the special moments that made him so unforgettable. His unique personality and the joy he brought to everyone who knew him will always be remembered.

Keeper Amber Leuenberger:

It is extremely difficult to put into words who Joey was and what he meant to us. He was stoic and handsome, stubborn and smart, patient and loving, and he was everything to Tec.

Joey and Tec’s personalities balanced each other perfectly. Joey took on the role of “big brother” and always made sure Tec understood what it meant to be a cougar. They spent most of their time cuddled up together napping or grooming each other. Tec was often observed following Joey around waiting for him to pick the napping spot of the day. While us keepers and Tec transition to a life without Joey we are keeping an extra close eye on Tec and spending as much time with him as possible.

When Joey showed his silly side it was truly magical to watch. He loved a cardboard box he could shred or a pile of wet leaves he could roll around in. He loved to supervise me while I worked and often judged me if I didn’t go fast enough. He’d often sneak over to me while Tec slept to get some one-on-one time. These moments will always hold a special place in my heart.

He was one of the most hard-headed animals I’ve ever met and he was not one to compromise easily. He was often too smart for his own good and lived fully by his own rules. As his primary keeper I either followed those rules or I was out of luck. If he didn’t want to take his medication it was up to me to find another way to offer it that pleased him. If he didn’t want to shift from his favorite spot it was up to me to adjust my plan for the morning so he could have a few more minutes napping.

Joey was slow to trust. He didn’t trust just anyone he met like his brother does. He put you through the wringer to earn his trust and if you did you could count yourself amongst a select few people in this world. Being loved and trusted by Joey has been the greatest honor of my career and will be one of the greatest honors of my life.

Keeper Danielle Holste:

Joey was the best boy. I’ve worked with him and his brother, Tec, for my entire career. He was arguably too smart for his own good and annoyingly stubborn, but he was just as silly and unmistakably loving to those who earned it.

I often said this was Joey’s world; we all just lived in it. He knew what he wanted to do and didn’t want to do. He didn’t love just anybody. His trust had to be built over time with patience, consistency, and understanding.

Being his primary trainer, that firmness in his personality made his successes feel that much more special. A slow blink, a rub, even a walk towards you for attention, all felt like a honor to receive from him. He was regal, handsome, and clever. He was so good to his brother, even when Tec overstimulated him, stole his food or nibbled on his whiskers.

There are not enough words to describe what a huge loss this is to me and the team. I will forever hold him in my heart and treasure the time I had with him.