Oregon Zoo Says Goodbye to Polar Bear with Untreatable Tumor

Conrad, a long-time star at the Oregon Zoo, was euthanized Wednesday, the zoo announced.

Conrad and his twin sister Tasul arrived at the Oregon Zoo when they were just over 1 year old.

Conrad, who was 31, far outlived the median life expectancy for male polar bears, which is 20.7 years.

The decision to euthanize him came after veterinarians found that their efforts to treat a liver tumor, discovered earlier this year, were not working.

HAVE PATCH EMAIL YOU ALL THE LATEST NEWS

"Since discovery of a large tumor in May, we have closely monitored Conrad and initiated a process we use for monitoring our animals’ quality of life," said Tim Storms, the zoo’s lead veterinarian.

"Given his advanced age, and the risks and complications of an invasive procedure, we ruled out surgery and have focused on keeping him comfortable. Yesterday, Conrad made it clear that our efforts were no longer working."

The zoo said that Conrad has been dealing with age-related arthritis as well over the past several years.

They would help him by combining medications with a series of low-impact exercise, regularly filling his pool with barrels and other toys to encourage him to swim.

Conrad and his sister have also helped scientists research the effects of climate change on polar bears, which are considered a threatened species.

In 2011, they also became the first polar bears in the world to voluntarily give blood.

The pair were born at the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, South Carolina, on Dec. 1, 1984.

Zoo officials say that while they were brother and sister, since polar bears are solitary creatures, they think Tasul will "adjust well to her brother's absence."

The zoo has recently launched design of a new polar bear habitat, the sixth of eight major construction projects funded by a public bond passed in 2008.

The zoo says that the new habitat is scheduled for completion in 2019 and will provide zoo visitors with a view into the ways Oregon Zoo polar bears are contributing scientific data to Arctic conservation research.

Those who wish to honor Conrad and his contributions to polar bear conservation may make a gift in his memory to the Oregon Zoo Foundation’s annual fund or become a Wildlife Partner. To learn about other ways to get involved, visit oregonzoo.org/support.

Photos courtesy Oregon Zoo