Keema, the Seattle Zoo’s oldest grizzly bear, 28, is euthanized on Christmas Day after suffering from “declining mobility” – as devastated park workers say their “hearts are heavy”.
- Keema, 28, was euthanized on Christmas Day due to a serious decline in health
- The grizzly bear has lived at Woodland Park Zoo for almost 30 years since 1994
- He had spent most of his life at the park with twin Denali, who died in late 2020
- Bosses say he had been on arthritis medication for some time before his death
The oldest male grizzly bear at a Seattle zoo was euthanized on Christmas Day amid concerns about “declining mobility.”
Keema, the 28-year-old bear, was humanely euthanized Sunday “due to a serious deterioration in his health,” according to Woodland Park Zoo, where he has lived since 1994.
In a blog post shared on Monday, the zoo said Keema has been struggling with mobility issues for some time and has been under surveillance for months, but the veterinary team could not find any underlying treatable conditions.
He had been on arthritis medication for some time before bosses made the “difficult decision” to end his life humanely.
Keema, the 28-year-old bear, was humanely euthanized on Sunday “due to a serious deterioration in his health.”
Keema has lived at Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo since 1994 after being born in Washington earlier that year
Keema had been struggling with mobility issues for some time and was under surveillance for months
“While Keema had persevered, his mobility had decreased, which is not uncommon in aging animals,” said Dr. Tim Storms, the zoo’s director of animal health.
“He was obviously unwell today and his health had deteriorated significantly. We had to make the difficult decision today to humanely euthanize him.”
Keema had lived at the popular zoo with twin brother Denali for almost 30 years. The pair arrived at the zoo when they were 10 months old after being born at Washington State University’s Bear Center in January 1994.
Denali passed away in late 2020, leaving his twin brother alone for the last two years of his life.
The couple had been able to live together peacefully as there were no women present.
Male grizzly bears have a life expectancy of 21 years in captivity and often less in the wild.
In the Post, the zoo’s Senior Director of Animal Care Kevin Murphy said: “The loss of Keema marks the end of an era. For nearly three decades, Keema and his late twin brother, Denali, touched our hearts and minds.
“Keema has lived a long, enriching life thanks to the dedication and expertise of his zookeepers and our animal health team, as well as the generous support of our donors, members and community.
Keema had been on arthritis medication for some time before bosses made the “difficult decision” to end his life humanely
Male grizzly bears have a life expectancy of 21 years in captivity and often less in the wild
Keema had lived at the popular zoo with twin brother Denali for nearly 30 years before Denali’s passing in late 2020
“Additionally, these majestic bears have been iconic ambassadors for grizzly bears in Washington state, as they helped spotlight the importance of coexistence with bears and other wildlife in both urban and remote areas.
“Keema and Denali will live in our hearts forever.”
It comes after two brown bear cubs named Fern and Juniper were welcomed to the zoo. Fern, a grizzly bear born in Montana last winter, arrived at the zoo in October.
Juniper, a brown bear cub, was also born last winter and found near an air force base in Anchorage, Alaska. In August she met the public for the first time.