Homer was found dead in his own exhibit this morning. After finding Homer dead the other two polar bears Yukon and Mckenzie were relocated and are now being looking at by the veterinary staff.

Sara N. Getty, the zookeeper, said that Homer was very playful and curious. It will be a huge hit at the Midland Zoo and will be deeply missed. Dr. Shanda Lear, a senior staff veterinarian, explained that “[t]he zoo will perform a necropsy to try to determine the cause of death”. However, we may not get those results for weeks after the original tests.

Polar bears have been functioning at the zoo since 1985. The exhibit gives polar bears an interactive life with nature. There are ambassadors for their wild relatives, educating zoo visitors about these threatened animals.

Chris P. Bacon who is the zoo director said, “We will do everything in our power to determine how this bear died. Animal welfare and the preservation of species are our primary goals here at the zoo.”

Bacon also confirmed that there were two other deaths at the zoo this month, but that these deaths are unrelated. A 10-year-old female bobcat named Regina died of renal failure and a 6-year-old giraffe named Kenya died after breaking her neck when her horns for caught in her stall.