Apollo
Apollo
Male Siberian Lynx
5/1/97 – 8/25/19
Rescued 6/24/97
When Apollo arrived at Big Cat Rescue, he had severe parasite issues. With veterinary care, a nutritionally balanced diet, and a little time, he was able to make significant improvements very quickly.
He was rescued with another male Siberian Lynx named Zeus. He and Apollo had grown up together and become best friends. Although it is rare to see two adult male lynxes living together in the wild, it is considered a form of enrichment for those who have been raised together in captivity. That was the case with these two.
Apollo and Zeus share a large shady enclosure here at Big Cat Rescue. They play together, groom one another, stalk ducks together, and ever curl up next to each other when they sleep. They have a very special bond. They are both known to puff air from their nostrils when they are agitated. This especially occurs at feeding time. Due to this cute little trait, they have earned themselves the nickname of “The Hufflepuffs”.
Medical Update May 30, 2017
Apollo has advanced kidney disease, which is not uncommon in older cats. Dr. Wynn is here to run blood work on him and get him started on a new medication. He will also be groomed during this time. He is unable to groom himself well up around his neck due to the severity of his arthritis at the age of 20.
Dr. Wynn is Here to See Apollo Lynx Live Video
5/30/2017 – Dr. Wynn is Doing Some X-Rays on Apollo Lynx Live Video
https://www.facebook.com/bigcatrescue/videos/10154473055736957/
5/30/2017 Dr. Wynn is Here to See Apollo Lynx Live Video Part Two
https://www.facebook.com/bigcatrescue/videos/10154473086781957/
Medical Update July 18, 2018
Apollo was seen by Dr. Justin Boorstein. He was found to be slightly dehydrated and was given fluids. He also had a hotspot and required some grooming. To everyone’s surprise, he weighed in at 70 lbs. He will spend the next couple of days under observation in the hospital recovery cage.
7/19/2018 Follow Up on Apollo With Keeper Brittany Mira
Medical Update August 23, 2019
Even though he had been provided an a/c unit earlier this summer as was getting extra frozen treats Apollo was having a very difficult time with the heat. With his advanced age, 22-years-old, and his advanced kidney disease, his decreased activity, and decreased appetite we fear our time with this amazing precious boy of growing very short. Today, he was moved into the cat hospital to see the vet. Here is a more detailed update from Carole.
Medical Update Late Afternoon August 23, 2019
Apollo spent the afternoon resting comfortably in the hospital in the a/c. Afton was able to coax him into eating 10 ounces and drinking some water.
Medical Update Aug 25, 2019, Saying Goodbye
Apollo Lynx was euthanized today by Dr. Justin Boorstein. X-rays and Ultrasound showed what looked like tumors on his kidneys and one the size of a tangerine in his intestines. His back issues were much worse, making it hard for him to stand. We decided to do exploratory surgery to make sure it wasn’t just an obstruction. What we saw let us know it was time to let him go. We are sending a sample out to the lab. Please post your tributes below. Thank you, everyone, who gave him 22 years of love.
HISTORY – Big Cat Rescue started out in 1992 with the rescue of a single bobcat named Windsong. This led to rescuing 56 bobcats and a lynx from a fur farm the following year. More than 100 exotic cats were rescued from becoming fur coats with the agreement that Big Cat Rescue would pay top dollar for every single cat if the fur farmers would stop breeding these bobcats for their fur. Learn more about Big Cat Rescue’s history and evolution.
To our knowledge, at the time of this rescue, there are no longer any fur farms in the United States that are raising these cats for their fur. Big Cat Rescue has bought out every U.S. fur farm known to us and we would like to do the same in Canada. We were trying to put an end to this practice in Canada as well with the rescue of Apollo and Zeus. However, we determined, in 1997, that in order to purchase the remaining cats at the known Canadian farm and build barely adequate housing for them, it would have cost over $95,000.
Over time, we have determined that we would not be able to buy our way out from under the issues and that things needed to change. Since then, we have focused and devoted all our time and energy on changing the laws to protect these animals. You can help too! Visit CatLaws.com to learn more about what you can do to make a difference.
Apollo Siberian Lynx Gear
You can find shirts, tote bags, mugs, necklaces, mousepads and so many more fun items featuring Apollo in our online gift shops. Go to reach gift shop linked below and search “Apollo.” Your PURRchases of Apollo Gear helps us provide for all the cats at Big Cat Rescue and work toward ending the abuse and exploitation of big cats.
Videos of Apollo Siberian Lynx
Apollo LOVES Pineapples!!
Talking Lynx 12/1/2010
Holiday Enrichment! Video 12/17/2010
Apollo with his pumpkin October 2018
If you enjoyed the short except video clip above of Apollo playing with his pumpkin go to BigCatTV.com to see the whole video.
Learn more about Big Cat Rescue’s Enrichment Program at https://bigcatrescue.org/enrichment/
See More Videos with Apollo in them
VIDEO – Apollo and Zeus Get a Pool Video 7/15/2015
https://www.facebook.com/bigcatrescue/videos/10152923200666957/
VIDEO – Live Walkabout 1/3/2017
https://www.facebook.com/bigcatrescue/videos/10154081449001957/
VIDEO – Apollo Love His Pineapples! Enrichment Video 4/6/2018
https://www.facebook.com/bigcatrescue/videos/424079721379935/
VIDEO – Q & A with Brittany Mira 1/23/2019
https://www.facebook.com/bigcatrescue/videos/2010250769062993/
VIDEO – Q & A with Brittany Mira 1/30/2019
https://www.facebook.com/bigcatrescue/videos/838592163140500/
Donating at NO COST to YOU!!
You can donate to the cats at NO COST TO YOU when you select BCR as your charity on Amazon Smile and shop Smile.Amazon.com instead of Amazon.com. It is exactly the same as regular Amazon EXCEPT when you use the Smile URL Amazon donates .5% of your purchase to BCR. It’s added up to over $89,000 for the cats!
Please visit BigCatRescue.org/amazon-smile for how to sign up and let us know you did so we can thank you. ?
Photos of Apollo
Apollo and Zeus Painting 7/30/2010
Apollo Siberian Lynx always enjoys his daily cicle. Photo by Alyssa Engiles
Apollo Siberian Lynx is quite a character. He fell off his den and then quickly looked around to make sure no one saw him. Photo by Lynda Licht
Photo by Lynda Licht
APOLLO & ZEUS Siberian Lynx brothers and fur farm survivors! 7/25/2012
Apollo Siberian Lynx LOVES his Coolaroo which was a gift from online viewers.
Photo by Mary Lou Geis
Photo by Mary Lou Geis
Former Intern Stefanie Kraus Photo of Apollo 9/27/2014
(Check out becoming an intern so YOU can help care for the cats, too)
For more photos see Apollo’s Photo Album
Check out Apollo’s photo album on Facebook. It has 55+ photos there for you to enjoy.
Find bios of all the cats at BigCatRescue.org/catbio/
Apollo was my fav after Zabu and this broke my heart. I wish we had more lives of him talking and grumbling. After people who don’t even watch BCR started complaining about Apollo on top of his den Brittany stopped really showing him much anymore, previously she showed him quite often and that really made me sad because now we won’t be seeing him ever again.
Thanks BCR for all you did for this sweet old man. But I also hope that you won’t let the comments of ignorant people stop you from showing the cats to our audience that love them because in the end it’s not the haters that will miss them but the people who tune in regularly hoping to see how they are doing. Lots of love.
My heart is broken and my tears are flowing for everyone at BCR. I know that Apollo couldn’t have had better care anywhere else and was deeply loved by the keepers, volunteers, interns and staff. Fly free with the angels baby boy and keep an eye on everyone at BCR, their hearts are broken.
To all the staff and interns at BCR:
My sincere condolences to all on the loss of beautiful Apollo. He knew nothing but love and comfort all the years he was there, and although you may be heartbroken at losing him, take comfort in knowing you provided that love and comfort. It’s never easy when we have to say goodbye to a beloved animal, regardless how many times we do it. Thank you, everyone, for all you do for these animals. Sending hugs to all of you.
RIP, Apollo, you’re back with Zeus running over the Rainbow Bridge.
Sweet old man, our Mr. Hufflepuff, the world is a sadder place without you. Rest in peace, Apollo. You will be dearly missed. My most sincere condolences to everyone at BCR. You all gave him such a good life, so much love. We all grieve with you and for you.