16 year old, Homer the polar bear at Midland Zoo has passed away. He was the oldest residing bear at the zoo with two other bears still living. One 9 years of age and the other one is 10 years of age.

the zoo will be performing a necropsy to determine the cause of this death. More is still to come with the details of this loved bear. Many people in the community knew who Homer was. Zookeeper Sarah N. Getty mentioned that, “Homer was a very curious and playful polar bear and we will miss him terribly.”

Polar bears have been residing in this zoo since 1985. They reside in a home like environment which gives the bears an opportunity to engage in natural behaviors.

Two other animals have passed away within a few weeks at the Midland Zoo. A 10-year-old Bobcat, and a 6-year-old Giraffe. None of these deaths are related.