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Masked bison with itchy eyes and skin turns celebrity at NC Zoo. ‘She looks fly!’

Annie, get your mask on. Beloved bovine at North Carolina Zoo draws rave reviews on social media for her covering with a purpose.
Annie, get your mask on. Beloved bovine at North Carolina Zoo draws rave reviews on social media for her covering with a purpose. NORTH CAROLINA ZOO

A masked bison named Annie at the North Carolina Zoo is drawing rave reviews on social media.

“She looks fly!” a couple of women commented, using the slang expression for fashionable, attractive and cool.

“You are rocking that mask!” another woman said.

“Annie u are a masked super hero,” still another woman posted.

“Need to make for humans,” yet another said.

Annie the bison seems unaware of her growing celebrity status at the North Carolina Zoo. She’s wearing a mask because of allergies.
Annie the bison seems unaware of her growing celebrity status at the North Carolina Zoo. She’s wearing a mask because of allergies. NORTH CAROLINA ZOO

In one of several photos released by the zoo on Friday, the rest of the herd appears ambivalent to Annie’s growing celebrity.

Same with Annie, although, staring close up at the camera in one photo, she seems to say, “Look at me, I got it going, this is so rad.”

Annie has a fly mask on, the type commonly worn by horses to keep the bothersome insects off, zoo officials revealed.

“The material is breathable and yes, both horses and Annie can still see out of them!” according to the zoo.

Annie developed seasonal allergies in recent years that have only worsened on her skin and in her eyes, officials said. In spring and summer, she gets so itchy she rubs herself raw and cuts her eyes, according to the zoo.

In one of several photos released by the North Carolina Zoo on Friday, May 24, 2025, the rest of the herd appears ambivalent to Annie’s growing celebrity, and to her mask.
In one of several photos released by the North Carolina Zoo on Friday, May 24, 2025, the rest of the herd appears ambivalent to Annie’s growing celebrity, and to her mask. NORTH CAROLINA ZOO

The mask keeps flies from the raw spots and will “hopefully allow her eyes a chance to heal,” officials said.

Kudos and thanks poured in.

“Bless the Zoo friends for caring so much for Annie,” a woman said.

This story was originally published May 24, 2025 at 3:24 PM.

Joe Marusak
The Charlotte Observer
Joe Marusak has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1989 covering the people, municipalities and major news events of the region, and was a news bureau editor for the paper. He currently reports on breaking news. Support my work with a digital subscription
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