News Story

Another animal was found dead in the Midland Zoo today. A polar bear named
Homer, the oldest polar bear the zoo had, was found dead this morning. This 16year-old is the third animal to die in two weeks.
Found dead in his exhibit an hour after feeding, Homer was found by the
zookeeper. The remaining bears were relocated to be monitored until the cause of
death can be decided. The results will take several weeks, according to a zoo
veterinarian.
This comes only a week after the last fatality. A 10-year-old bobcat died of
renal failure a week ago. Two weeks ago, a 6-year-old giraffe died when her horns
got caught in her stall and she broke her neck. Zoo director Chris P. Bacon says the
deaths are unrelated.
The polar bear died at 16, less than half the age of the average lifespan of
polar bears held in captivity.

Press Release
The Midland Zoo mourns today the tragic loss of Homer, our oldest polar
bear. He passed away early this morning.
Homer was a very curious and playful polar bear and we will miss him
terribly, said zookeeper Sara N. Getty.
The zoos two other polar bears were moved from the exhibit until a cause of
death can be detected, as results will take some time. At 16 years of age, Homers
death came before the middle of his natural lifespan. Polar bears cared for by zoos
live upwards of 30 years, often into their late thirties.
The zoo will perform a necropsy to determine the cause of death, said
senior staff veterinarian Shanda Lear. The results will not be available for several
weeks.
The zoo has cared for polar bear since 1985, where theyve thrived. In our
unique exhibit, they can engage in natural behaviors while enjoying their life for
longer. In fact, polar bears that live in zoos have twice the natural lifespan theyd
have in the wild. Our bears play in manufactured snow, dig in gravel, and hunt trout
in the chilled pool.
The bears are ambassadors for their wild relatives, educating zoo visitors
about these threatened animals. Homer will be sorely missed.
We will do everything in our power to determine how this bear died, said
zoo director Chris P. Bacon. Animal welfare and the preservation of species are our
primary goals here at the zoo.