Oldest Asiatic black bear in human care dies at Colorado zoo
A -year-old Asiatic black bear that had lived at Colorado s Cheyenne Mountain Zoo since she was a cub was euthanized on Sunday zoo authorities commented Beezler and her sister Honey arrived at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in according to a news release from the zoo Honey died in but Beezler celebrated her nd birthday in January becoming the oldest living Asiatic black bear in human care in the United States Cheyenne Mountain Zoo staff described Beezler as a celebrated member of the neighborhood and sweet confident and person with a side of respectable sass She surpassed the American Zoo Association s median life expectancy by three years zoo leaders commented In human years Beezler was in her s It seems like she only turned old really in recent days Jessi Palmer a Rocky Mountain Wild animal keeper noted in a report She was still so mentally sharp observant and engaged It s like we knew she was old but she didn t believe it I think a large number of people who are aging related to her and were inspired by her She just kept going Just six months after her birthday party Beezler had a different kind of celebration that zoo personnel called her Last Best Day The elderly bear spent Sunday relaxing in the sunshine and enjoying cookies whipped cream muffins and meatballs It may sound strange but we work hard and have hours of discussions to make sure we re giving each animal its Last Best Day Cheyenne Mountain President and CEO Bob Chastain stated in the zoo s news release The club was able to achieve that peaceful passing for Beezler and that s comforting to all of us She ll be deeply missed Animal keepers who worked with Beezler remembered the bear fondly and noted she continued to surprise them even in her s One Rocky Mountain Wild animal keeper Kelsey Walker announced the crew was delivering enrichment items into Beezler s outdoor area by zipline when it got stuck Related Articles These new Colorado laws take effect Tuesday regulating gun shops sexual assault cases youth detention and more Denver Animal Shelter expands hours due to increase in surrendered pets strays Phish s first Folsom Field concerts this weekend will test fans the band and the venue How does La Alma Lincoln Park neighborhood feel about expected Broncos stadium in its backyard Cheese cave house-made sausage star at new European deli in Denver Before we could shake it loose Beezler was scaling a diagonal tree trunk and balancing on her back legs to reach it Walker stated in the zoo s release That was typical Beezler defying the odds and making you rethink everything you thought you knew Beezler trained and taught zoo staff nearly as much as they did her according to Erika Furnes who worked with Beezler for nearly a decade A big part of our role is to help guests fall in love with animals but she didn t need us Furnes reported in a report She did that on her own People connected with her in so a multitude of options and she was the perfect ambassador for her species Get more Colorado news by signing up for our daily Your Morning Dozen email newsletter
