from the City of Tucson press release

Polar Bear “Snow” Has Died

Reid Park Zoo is deeply saddened to announce the death of “Snow,” a 17 year-old polar bear. She was discovered first thing this morning by her Zoo Keeper. She was in her normal sleeping position and location, with no signs of trauma.

Pathologists will conduct a full necropsy to try to identify a cause of death. However, “we may not have a single reason to point to,” indicates Zoo Veterinarian Dr. Alexis Moreno. “Although she’s had a number of health issues throughout her life, there were no immediate concerns – she was swimming and eating well yesterday. Her overall appearance and condition since arriving in February had improved dramatically.”

“I’m extremely proud of the care Snow received from our team,” stated Jim Schnormeier, the Zoo’s General Curator. “Although Snow had chronic health concerns, our staff did everything possible to provide her with a great quality of life. We have many geriatric animals in our care right now and we anticipate losses in the near future, but this loss was unexpected. She will be missed.”

Early necropsy results may be available as early as Thursday, but final results will take several weeks.

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Reid Park Zoo elephants / Mark Evans

About six months ago, the Tucson public was in an uproar at the Reid Park Zoo for shipping Connie off to the San Diego Zoo. Zoo management said she would thrive there.

Now Connie is dead.

According to the Arizona Daily Star:

Zoo officials in San Diego had worked with Connie, who was about 45 years old, to manage health concerns related to urinary and reproductive tract infections, officials said. Over the last couple of weeks, her condition continued to deteriorate.

“The difficult decision to euthanize Connie was made this morning after extensive discussion among the San Diego veterinarians and animal care staff once it became evident that her quality of life had significantly diminished and she would no longer be able to sustain herself,” said Reid Park Zoo administrator Susan Basford in a news release.

Here’s a list of the 10 worst zoos for elephants.

from the City of Tucson press release

City of Tucson Parks and Recreation officials and staff from the Reid Park Zoo have been re-evaluating a decision to separate Connie and Shaba from one another. Today, after conferring with experts from San Diego Zoo Global, Reid Park Zoo staff, Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the African Elephant Taxon Advisory Group (TAG), both Connie and Shaba will be relocated to Elephant Odyssey in San Diego.

The decision to move Shaba to San Diego along with Connie allows Reid Park Zoo to continue to meet the long-established objectives of its elephant program:

• Provide both Connie and Shaba with additional space, superior whole-life care, and expertly trained staff at AZA institutions.

• Introduce both Connie and Shaba to additional herd members, as two-animal “herds” do not provide for long term social needs for elephants.

• Continue to participate actively in the African Elephant Species Survival Plan and breeding program.

• Partner with fellow elephant experts for the future of elephants at AZA zoos.

• Provide an accredited Zoo in Tucson where guests have the opportunity to learn from elephants and are encouraged to form personal and meaningful connections with wildlife.

Following a conference call with San Diego Zoo officials, City of Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild said “I am glad we found a solution that will keep Connie and Shaba together and provide them both with excellent care. This is a really good result for Connie, Shaba and the Tucsonans of all ages who love them.”

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Maybe being recently listed #2 on the top worst zoos had some positive effect on Reid Park zoo and City personnel.

Hopefully this is good news for Connie & Shaba!