The Oldest Polar Bear at Midland Zoo Suddenly Passes Away.
The 16 year old polar bear also known as Homer, was found floating in the pool within his exhibit at 7a.m. just an hour after his feeding. Zoo Director Chris P. Bacon is looking into the case and said, “We will do everything in our power to determine how this bear died.” Although there have been two other animal confirmed deaths within the last month, Director Bacon says they are unrelated.
Dr. Shanda Lear, senior staff veterinarian stated, “ The zoo will perform a necropsy to try to determine the cause of death. The results will not be available for several weeks.” The two other polar bears in the exhibit, a 9 year old male named Yukon and 10 year old female named Mckenzie have been removed and are now being monitored by the veterinary staff.
Polar bars have thrived since 1975 at Midland Zoo and are ambassadors for their wild relatives, educating zoo visitors about these threatened animals.