Billings, MT (October 29, 2025) – ZooMontana staff said a difficult goodbye to long-time resident Ivy the American mink on Wednesday, October 29, following a rapid decline in her health. Due to age-related complications, the decision was made to humanely euthanize Ivy.
Born May 1, 2015, at a private fur farm, Ivy came to ZooMontana later that same year. Throughout her ten years, Ivy faced several health challenges, including a cancer diagnosis in 2019 that led to the partial amputation of her tail. Despite these obstacles, Ivy’s zest for life never wavered. She was often seen swimming in her pool or joyfully playing in buckets of snow provided by her dedicated caretakers.
Each year, an estimated 1.3 million mink are used for fur in the United States. As an American mink, Ivy served as an incredible ambassador for her species—sharing her vibrant personality with visitors and inspiring advocacy and compassion for her species.
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