Crop talks

Homer the polar bear was the oldest polar bear at Midland Zoo, at sixteen years old. Homer was found deceased in his exhibit this morning. The other two polar bears(9 and 10 year olds) in the exhibit were removed and staff is keeping an eye on them.

Senior staff veterinarian, Dr. Shanda Lear, said, “The zoo will perform a necropsy to try and determine the cause of death.”

Since the 1980s polar bears have thrived at Midland. The exhibit for the bears lets them engage in natural behaviors. With manufactured snow, the bears can play in it or dig in some gravel. There is a chilled pool with trout for them to hunt.

The bears at the zoo have educated visitors about threatened species for years and an investigation will follow this incident.

Chris P. Bacon, the Zoo director, said “Animal welfare and the preservation of species are our primary goals here at the zoo.”