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Geriatric black bear dies at Oregon Zoo
Friday, November 20, 2009 | No comments posted.
PORTLAND (AP) — Oregon Zoo officials say Pete, an 18-year-old black bear who loved to lounge in a tractor tire, has been euthanized because of his age and debilitating arthritis.
Pete was named for Petersburg, Alaska, where he had been found orphaned as a cub in January 1991. The bear and his tractor tire — which did double duty as a toy and security blanket — came to the Oregon Zoo in March 2007, with the opening of Black Bear Ridge.
He spent his first 16 years at Wildlife Images, near Grants Pass.
Keeper Virginia Grimley called Pete a remarkable bear, adding, “He was laid-back and brought a lot of happiness to the keepers who worked with him — and he really loved that tire.”
Zoo spokesman Bill LaMarche says all three of the zoo’s geriatric black bears have died this past year.
Pete was named for Petersburg, Alaska, where he had been found orphaned as a cub in January 1991. The bear and his tractor tire — which did double duty as a toy and security blanket — came to the Oregon Zoo in March 2007, with the opening of Black Bear Ridge.
He spent his first 16 years at Wildlife Images, near Grants Pass.
Keeper Virginia Grimley called Pete a remarkable bear, adding, “He was laid-back and brought a lot of happiness to the keepers who worked with him — and he really loved that tire.”
Zoo spokesman Bill LaMarche says all three of the zoo’s geriatric black bears have died this past year.
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