Quick Take
- Emmett, a grizzly bear at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado, recently had an operation to remove cancer from his tail.
- The operation was successful, and he is now recovering.
- The surgery posed logistical problems, as the bear weighs 750 pounds.
Veterinary practice is an extremely admirable profession, as it involves caring for precious animals. Thanks to the hard work of the team at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the grizzly bear Emmett underwent a successful surgery to remove cancer from his tail. This Instagram post by @cheyennemountainzoo shows the strenuous work that went into transporting, preparing for, and conducting Emmett’s surgery. Read here to learn more.
Emmett, the grizzly bear, was taken into the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo after negative encounters with humans.
©valtevasi/Shutterstock.com
Emmett the Grizzly Bear
Emmett is a 21-year-old grizzly bear at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs. He was first brought to the zoo in 2007 as a “nuisance bear.” Nuisance bears are bears that have had negative interactions with humans. Rather than being euthanized, Emmett was given a second chance at the zoo to live a full life. He now spends his days exploring and playing, all while guests of the zoo get to observe him. However, Emmett had a stroke of bad luck when a biopsy revealed that a lump on his tail was cancerous.
To ensure his good health and recovery, his team put in significant effort, ultimately deciding to perform surgery. Administering anesthesia to wild animals can be risky due to many underlying factors that can affect the outcome of the procedure. Factors such as anatomical differences compared to humans, inability to communicate, and potential allergies can cause undesirable outcomes. Thankfully, it seems Emmett had a successful and safe surgery and is now recovering.
Preparing for Surgery
The preparation for Emmett’s surgery was meticulous and required extensive planning. One aspect of planning—and easily the most difficult to manage—was his weight. Like most grizzly bears, Emmett weighs around 750 pounds. Moving him can be both strenuous and dangerous, so careful planning is essential. Zookeepers and veterinarians first administered anesthesia in his den to calm him.
He was then transported onto a custom-made platform, as shown in the video. Using heavy machinery, he was brought to the operating room table for the surgery. The operation officially took place on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The team of veterinary surgeons removed the cancerous mass and his tail to prevent any potential spread. Overall, the surgery was a success, and Emmett is now recovering in his den at the zoo before he resumes interacting with guests.
