Kansas City Zoo’s beloved polar bear Berlin, who had lived at the zoo for the last decade, has died at 33 years of age, the zoo said on Thursday, according to KDHB News.
Berlin was the oldest polar bear in captivity in the United States “which is a testament to the extraordinary care she received from her animal care and veterinary health teams”, the Kansas City Zoo said in the announcement.
Berlin, who was being treated for hypertension and kidney failure, was euthanized Wednesday morning.
“Unfortunately, Berlin’s health had significantly declined yesterday morning, and it was determined there were no other additional medical options to improve her condition,” the statement said. “She was euthanized surrounded by her caregivers.”
“Berlin will be dearly missed by her Zoo family, including staff, volunteers, and guests,” the zoo said in a statement. “The Kansas City Zoo will make its annual contribution from the Zoo’s Conservation Fund to Polar Bears International in memory of Berlin this year to aid in conserving this amazing, vulnerable species and their habitat in the wild.”
