2 minute read –

It was with profound sadness that the Yukon Wildlife Preserve (YWP) shared the death of Jesse, a cherished and iconic moose who had resided at the Preserve since 2016. The YWP’s Animal Care team made the difficult decision to euthanize Jesse on June 19, 2025 due to complications following a medical procedure.

An Old Injury

The YWP Animal Care team had been monitoring Jesse’s old hoof injury, which had become arthritic, causing her increasing discomfort and pain. The team had diligently monitored her condition, exploring options to alleviate her suffering and improve her quality of life. On Monday, June 17th, Veterinarian Dr. Cassandra Andrew and the YWP Animal Care team immobilized (anesthetized) Jesse to provide a targeted treatment for the affected hoof joint. While under anesthesia Jesse regurgitated contents from one of her stomachs – one of the risks of anesthesia in ruminants like moose. Recognizing the immediate risk, the team promptly cut the hoof treatment short, administered broad-spectrum antibiotics, and reversed the anesthesia.

Dr. Cassandra Andrew and the Animal Care Team check on Jesse’s hoof during in summer 2024.

Complications and Consequences

Upon waking, Jesse exhibited signs of respiratory distress, including coughing and more rapid breathing than normal, indicating that she had inhaled some of the regurgitated material. Later that day, the team provided additional medication to help reduce fever and inflammation. By Tuesday, June 18th, Jesse appeared to be more relaxed and showed initial signs of improvement as the team continued to monitor her closely.

However, during the morning check-in on Wednesday, June 19th, it was clear that Jesse’s condition had declined significantly overnight. She was suffering from what was suspected to be severe aspiration pneumonia (inhalation of foreign/food material into the lungs) and was struggling to breathe. Unfortunately treating such a severe condition can be quite invasive and would only be feasible with a domesticated animal in a clinical setting. The team made the difficult decision to euthanize Jesse without delay.

Dr. Andrew performed a gross necropsy, which confirmed extensive damage to her lungs and the severe pneumonia. The team is conducting additional tests to better understand Jesse’s overall health and to reveal potential future treatments for similar hoof injuries in other animals.

Jesse in June 2024

Jesse’s Story

“Jesse was a really special animal with a remarkable story who touched the hearts of many, both our staff and visitors alike,” said Jake Paleczny, Executive Director, Yukon Wildlife Preserve. “Her death is a big loss for our team and so many of our visitors who got to know her so well over her 9 years here. Our team made every possible effort to provide her with the best care, and we will honour her legacy by learning what we can to inform what we do for our moose in the future.”

Jesse’s remarkable journey at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve began in May 2016. At only a few weeks old and weighing just 47 pounds, dogs attacked her in the bush near Whitehorse, separating her from her mother. A quick-thinking teenager (named Jesse) carried the injured moose out and with some help, brought her to the Preserve. The dogs had gone after her neck, causing swelling that made it difficult for her to swallow and breathe. YWP staff provided 24-hour care, and for the first couple of nights, they were unsure if she would survive. For the first four days at the Preserve, Jesse couldn’t get up, and the team fed her via IV, offering small amounts of formula when she could manage it. With her injuries, it’s unlikely Jesse would have survived in the wild. Her comfort around humans meant she would reside at the Preserve permanently.

Jesse’s Impact

If you have a story or memory you’d like to share about Jesse, send it to jake@yukonwildlife.ca  and lindsay@yukonwildlife.ca. We’d like to share and celebrate the impactful experiences and relationships she was a part of.

The crazy snow winter which had packed snow so high people’s heads (and moose heads) were much closer to the top of the fence than normal and Jesse started stealing people’s touques right off their heads. She especially loved to target hat wearers’ taking selfies.
Pete, Wildlife Interpreter

We said our goodbye!
She knows and she listens—
She cried, I cried.
Michael, Senior Wildlife and Rehabilitation Technician

Above: Michael and Jesse on the morning of June 19.