Midland Zoo is mourning the tragic loss of our oldest polar bear, Homer.
16-year-old Homer was found at 7 a.m., an hour after his feeding. Zookeeper Sara N. Getty recalled: “Homer was a very curious and playful polar bear and we will miss him terribly.”
Dr. Shanda Lear, senior staff veterinarian, said “The zoo will perform a necropsy to determine the cause of death.”
Chris P. Bacon, the zoo’s director, stated, “Animal welfare and the preservation of species are out primary goals here at the zoo.” Polar bears have thrived at the zoo since 1985. The bears are ambassadors to their wild relatives, educating zoo visitors about these threatened animals.