Dec 07 2022
Homer, Midland Zoo’s Oldest Bear, Found Dead
Homer, a 16-year-old polar bear, passed away at the Midland Zoo this morning.
At 7 A.M., one hour after Homer’s feeding time, zookeeper Sara N. Getty found the polar bear floating in the pool of the exhibit. Homer was the oldest polar bear at the zoo. Zookeeper Getty described Homer as “a very curious and playful polar bear and we will miss him terribly.”
Since 1985, polar bears have thrived at Midland Zoo. Their exhibits makes is possible for polar bears to engage in their natural behaviors. The bears can play in manufactured snow, dig in gravel and hunt trout in the chilled pool. Having the polar bears and this exhibit also helps educate zoo visitors about these threatened animals.
The cause of death is still unknown. The zoo is going to perform a necropsy to try and determine the cause. But the results will not be available for several weeks. Midland Zoo director Chris P. Bacon 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.”
The other two polar bears that lived with Homer, ages 9 and 10, were removed from the exhibit and are now being monitored by veterinary staff.
No responses yet