March 20, 2012

DENVER ZOO MOURNS LOSS OF POLAR BEAR "SOOSHA"

Soosha, a beloved 25-year-old female polar bear at Denver Zoo, passed away March 14, 2012. The elderly bear was euthanized after a severe decline in health. The longevity of polar bears is 20-25 years. "It is always difficult to make this type of decision. Despite our best efforts to help her, Soosha's quality of life declined severely over the last few months. As hard as it is, this was the right thing to do. She will be missed by us all very much," says Denver Zoo Vice President of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Scott Larsen.

Soosha began to show increased joint pain, decreased mobility and lethargy the past few months. Although she received medications for her joint pain, she did not return to her normal self. Multiple medical examinations did not offer conclusive information as to why Soosha began to decline food and eventually quit eating altogether. On March 14 veterinary staff humanely euthanized the bear that had not eaten or accepted pain medications her last few days. "Soosha was adored by zoo staff and our community. She was well-known and loved. Her death is even more difficult because it is the end of an era. She was the last of the iconic Denver Zoo polar bears that came to Northern Shores in 1987," says Denver Zoo spokesperson Tiffany Barnhart.

Soosha was a very popular resident of Denver Zoo for 24 years. She arrived from Riverbanks Zoo (Columbia, South Carolina) in 1987 and was one of the first residents of the newly-opened Northern Shores exhibit. Denver Zoo remains home to Soosha's niece Cranbeary and Cranbeary's mate, Lee.

Denver Zoo is one of only 39 zoos around the world working as a Polar Bear International (PBI) Arctic Ambassador Center, all of whom commit to take earnest action in promoting climate change awareness and carbon reduction. Arctic Ambassador Center zoos also focus on animal well-being and enrichment and participate in PBI research, outreach and education programs. The partnership creates stewardship opportunities and fosters conservation actions that increase public awareness of, and engage action towards, reducing CO2 to help save polar bear habitat.