The cougar kitten was named **Roxanne**, revealed at noon Friday, July 17, 2026, at Zoo Idaho in Pocatello. Zoo staff chose Roxanne from three public finalists during a ceremony marking her first appearance in her renovated exhibit, according to LocalNews8/KIFI. A cougar (also called a mountain lion or puma) is a large wild cat native to the Americas. Roxanne is a rescued orphan, not a pet, and her story offers a clear window into a disease that also threatens domestic cats.
Table of Contents
- How Roxanne got her name
- Why Roxanne is the only survivor
- What is feline panleukopenia?
- Protecting your own cat from panleukopenia
- How to visit Roxanne
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Roxanne got her name
Zoo Idaho, at 3000 S. Second Ave. in Pocatello, ran a public naming contest and gathered more than 500 suggestions.
Staff narrowed those to three finalists: **Roxanne, Purrsephone, and Clawdia**, reports the Idaho State Journal. The winning name was announced at the noon ceremony by local youth Caleb Gumm, who served as "mayor for the day." The event doubled as her public debut in a newly renovated habitat, with the community invited to attend. The vote was also a fundraiser. Roughly 600 votes at $5 each raised about $3,000 toward renovating her exhibit, giving supporters a direct stake in her new home.
Why Roxanne is the only survivor
Roxanne arrived as one of three orphaned cougar kittens from Wyoming after they lost their mother. The other two kittens died, East Idaho News reports, leaving Roxanne as the sole survivor of the litter.
All three contracted **feline panleukopenia**, a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease. Despite extensive veterinary care, only Roxanne pulled through, which is why local coverage repeatedly calls her resilient.
What is feline panleukopenia?
Feline panleukopenia is caused by feline parvovirus. The name means "low white blood cells"; the virus attacks rapidly dividing cells in the bone marrow, gut lining, and, in young animals, developing tissue. The virus is dangerous for two reasons.
It spreads easily through feces, shared bowls, litter boxes, and contaminated hands or surfaces, and it is hardy enough to survive in the environment for months. kittens are hit hardest because their immune systems are still developing, as Roxanne's littermates showed. Wild cats like cougars are vulnerable to the same feline parvovirus that infects domestic cats, which is why an orphaned kitten with no maternal immunity was at such high risk.
Protecting your own cat from panleukopenia
Roxanne's story is a rare wildlife rescue, but the disease that nearly killed her is a routine threat to house cats. Vaccination is the single most effective safeguard, and it is part of the standard core vaccine series.
Watch for these common warning signs, and call your veterinarian promptly if you see them: Practical steps that lower your cat's risk: Treatment is supportive only; there is no drug that kills the virus, so care means fluids, anti-nausea medication, and infection control. That limitation is exactly why prevention matters so much, and why survival like Roxanne's is notable.
- Sudden, severe lethargy or collapse
- Vomiting and watery or bloody diarrhea
- Refusal to eat or drink
- Fever, then a drop to below-normal temperature
- Sitting hunched over a water bowl without drinking
How to visit Roxanne
Roxanne now lives in her renovated exhibit at Zoo Idaho in Pocatello. For hours, admission, and current animal information, check the Zoo Idaho official site before you go.
Keep in mind that a young cougar's visibility varies with weather, feeding times, and her own routine. If seeing her matters to you, plan a flexible visit rather than expecting her on display at a fixed hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the other two finalist names?
The public finalists were Purrsephone and Clawdia; staff chose Roxanne from the three.
Can my house cat catch the same disease Roxanne survived?
Yes. Feline panleukopenia is caused by feline parvovirus, which infects domestic cats, so keeping core vaccines current is the key protection.