Oregon Zoo Says Goodbye to Beloved Polar Bear

Tasul, the beloved almost 32-year-old polar bear at the Oregon Zoo, has been euthanized after a battle with cancer, the zoo announced Friday. Her brother Conrad died earlier this year.

During an ultrasound last week, zoo veterinarians discovered a mass on Tasul’s right ovary, and — after a biopsy revealed it to be cancerous — surgery was scheduled this morning to remove the mass and determine whether it had spread. During surgery, however, it became clear the cancer had spread extensively and, to prevent her from suffering, animal-care staff made the difficult decision to euthanize.

“We know many zoo visitors are grieving along with us right now,” said Nicole Nicassio-Hiskey, the zoo’s senior marine life keeper, who knew the bear for more than 15 years. “Tasul touched a lot of people’s hearts, and she was such a great bear. She helped raise awareness about what’s happening to polar bears in the Arctic, and she helped the scientists who are studying what’s happening there. Wild polar bears are in trouble, and their future depends on all of us working together to combat climate change.”

In 2011, Tasul became the first polar bear in the world to voluntarily give blood, an advance that the zoo called "significant" because it helped improve animal welfare, especially during veterinary treatment.

After reading about this milestone in the news, Karyn Rode, a scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Polar Bear Team, contacted the zoo for assistance with Arctic research including how climate change affects the diets of polar bears.

"This team of keepers truly revolutionized the way we care for polar bears in zoos, and Tasul was a shining example of that," Curator Amy Cutting said. "When I first met Tasul 14 years ago, she could be nervous and apprehensive. It has truly been a privilege for me to watch her keepers build her trust and encourage her to express herself over the years. She evolved into a playful, confident bear, who was clearly ready to meet any challenge."

Tasul was born Dec. 1, 1984, at the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, South Carolina, and arrived in Portland in 1986 along with Conrad. She was popular with zoo visitors and staff, forming especially strong bonds with keepers.

Keepers are disappointed that Tasul will not have the chance to serve as a friend and mentor to the 1-year-old Nora, who arrived here from the Columbus Zoo this fall. While the two bears had met, they had yet to become comfortable together.

"One of the reasons Nora came here was to meet another bear," said Cutting, who oversees the Oregon Zoo’s marine life area. "It's beneficial for a young bear that was hand-raised to have a mentor bear as soon as possible, so we’re in touch with the Species Survival Plan about what is best for Nora at this time."

Until a companion for Nora is found, Cutting said, the Oregon Zoo is fully prepared to provide care for her with enrichment, positive-reinforcement training and opportunities to participate in conservation science.

"We regularly get inquiries from other zoos about how to approach management and training with polar bears," Cutting added. "We have learned a ton from other talented teams out there that are also pushing the boundaries and developing strategies to continually improve polar bear welfare. It is an exciting time with polar bear management and conservation science and I believe that Tasul and this team have inspired an entire generation of polar bear managers."

Photos courtesy Oregon Zoo