DJ, a 22-year-old black bear and longtime Bear Hole Zoo resident, was euthanized Friday after a well being decline.
Bear Hole Zoo is mourning the lack of one among its most iconic residents. DJ, a 22-year-old American black bear who spent almost twenty years on the Athens-based zoo, was humanely euthanized on Friday, as a result of progressing well being points.
Zoo employees and veterinarians made the troublesome resolution after DJ skilled a steep decline from spinal osteoarthritis, a situation he had been recognized with in 2022. Based on the Athens-Clarke County Leisure Providers Division, DJ had proven indicators of worsening mobility, muscle loss and stiffness in current weeks.
“DJ was cherished by all at Bear Hole,” mentioned zoo coordinator Kelly Garrison. “He was a real light large weighing round 500 kilos.”
Veterinary groups from the UGA Instructing Hospital had been treating DJ with long-term drugs for each osteoarthritis and left-sided coronary heart illness, also referred to as cardiomyopathy, which he was recognized with in 2002. These situations are usually not curable in bears, and the zoo had been managing DJ’s well being by palliative care.
In his remaining days, DJ was surrounded by his caretakers and given further consideration, together with loads of his favourite deal with: coconut.
DJ arrived at Bear Hole Zoo in 2005 and spent most of his time with fellow black bears Yonah and Athena, who joined the habitat in 2010. He was usually seen lounging on wet days or interacting peacefully with guests.
At 22 years outdated, DJ outlived the common life expectancy for male black bears in managed care, which is usually early to mid-20s.
The UGA Veterinary Instructing Hospital will carry out a necropsy to know the causes of DJ’s decline higher and contribute samples to additional analysis.
About Bear Hole Zoo
Positioned at 293 Gran Ellen Drive in Athens, Bear Hole Zoo is house to about 50 non-releasable native Georgia animals, together with black bears, owls, bobcats, and reptiles. These animals stay in care as a result of damage or habituation to people.
The zoo is free and open to the general public seven days every week from 9 a.m. to five p.m. It additionally gives conservation applications and academic occasions targeted on Georgia wildlife.
