A Midland Zoo polar bear was found dead an hour after his feeding.

There were 3 polar bears at the zoo was found dead floating in the polar bear exhibit yesterday morning around 7 a.m. The other two polar bears were removed from the exhibit and are now being monitored by the veterinary staff. 

The polar bear is known as Homer to the community. Homer was sixteen years old, the oldest bear at the zoo. Zookeeper Sara Getty said, “Homer was a very curious and playful polar bear and we will miss him terribly.”

The unique exhibits have created an environment that have helped polar bears thrive at the zoo since 1985. The polar bears can dig in gravel, hunt trout, and do other natural activities in these exhibits.

Midland Zoo believes these exhibits help educate zoo visitors about the threatened polar bears species.