News Release: Cause of Death to Beloved Polar Bear is a Mystery.

Homer, a 16 year old polar bear at the Midland Zoo was found dead in the polar bear exhibit just an hour after his 7 a.m. feeding. Zookeeper Sarah Getty, found Homer floating in the pool.

The other two polar bears were removed from the exhibit and are currently being monitored by the veterinary staff. Homer was the oldest bear in the exhibit compared to 9 year old Yukon and 10 year old female McKenzie.

Homer is the 3rd animal to have passed away in a span of four weeks. Regina the bobcat died of renal failure last week, and Kenya the giraffe broke her neck by her horns being caught in her stall two weeks prior.

Zoo Director Chris Bacon expresses his concern of the recent tragedy in the habitat. “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 confirms that the two other animals who died this month are unrelated to the death of Homer the polar bear.

The polar bear habitat has thrived at the Midland Zoo since 1985, allowing the bears to engage in their natural behaviors, playing in manufactured snow, and hunting trout in the chilled pool. The bears are ambassadors educating the guests who come in to learn about their lives and what makes them endangered.