Tundra, Detroit Zoo Polar Bear, Dies Unexpectedly

ROYAL OAK, MI — Tundra, the aging polar bear that moved to the Detroit Zoo in June after spending most of her life at the Indianapolis Zoo, was euthanized Monday morning after becoming seriously ill on Sunday, the zoo said in a statement.

Tundra, 29, was examined Sunday by zoo veterinarians, who could not immediately diagnose her illness. A necropsy, the animal equivalent of an autopsy, will be performed to determine the cause of the bear’s rapid decline

“Zoo staff were with her through the night and by this morning, it was apparent she was continuing to decline and her quality of life was significantly diminished,” the zoo said. “We made the difficult but humane decision to euthanize her.”

Tundra was one of the oldest polar bears in captivity. Most polar bears have an average of lifespan 15-18 years in the wild and 21-24 years in zoos.

Tundra moved to the Detroit Zoo in June after the Indianapolis Zoo decided to permanently close its polar bear exhibit. She was the solitary polar bear resident of the Indy Zoo, and zoo visitors noticed that she wasn’t as active as she once had been, especially during hot Indiana summers, the Indianapolis Star reported.

Detroit Zoo officials said she settled in well at her new home, which was chosen as Tundra’s new home because its Arctic Ring of Life is regarded as one of the leading facilities in the world for captive polar bears. In selecting Detroit for Tundra, the Indy Zoo cited large spaces and pools with easy slopes to help Tundra to enter and exit the water, especially important for a geriatric polar bear.

“We are happy we were able to provide Tundra with a great home for the short period of time she was with us,” the zoo said. “She was a favorite of Detroit Zoo visitors who loved watching her enjoy the 300,000-gallon pool at the Arctic Ring of Life. Our hearts go out to the animal care staff and visitors — both in Detroit and Indianapolis — who knew and loved her.”

The Indy Zoo said on its Facebook page that Tundra was “a magnificent bear” who will be missed.

Tundra, who was born at the San Diego Zoo in 1986, but moved to Indianapolis in 1988, was mourned on Facebook pages for both zoos.

Tom J. McConnell, an assistant professor of biology at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, noted on the Indy Zoo Facebook page that Tundra lived a long life.

“It’s nice to see a photo of her in the grass and flowers at her home in Detroit,” he wrote. “To those who question the decision to move Tundra, please remember that her age and physical impairments made it very hard to move around her exhibit in Indy. The staff at the Zoo knew she was struggling, and made a choice to ease her final days. Tundra will always have a special place in the memory of all in my family, but because of my work with the Zoo, I know their choice was the right one. I'm sure there are many heavy hearts among zoo staff today. My thoughts go out to them — and to the folks in Detroit who worked closely with her.”

On the Detroit Zoo Facebook page, Jody Westfall Finnell said Tundra “was a beautiful bear and adapted quickly to her new home.”

“She made us all fall in love with her,” Westfall Finnell said. “The Rainbow Bridge had an extra special visitor as Tundra passed over it. Indy and Detroit will miss you. Run free and play in the wildflowers dear Tundra.”

Drew Davis offered his gratitude to the Detroit Zoo for providing Tundra with an excellent home in the final months of her life.

“Thank you Detroit Zoo for giving her a home, even just for a short time,” Davis wrote. “As a longtime member of the Indianapolis Zoo, I speak for many other members and say we appreciate your institution giving her a home.”

Featured photos by Corydon Martin via Detroit Zoo