Soosha, Denver Zoo's Polar Bear; Dead at 25

The Denver Zoo lost one of their long time residents today. Soosha, the polar bear, died at 25.

She had been in declining health and medicines were no longer helping her out. The decision to euthanize her was made, and today the action to keep her from further pain was taken. Denver Zoo Vice President of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Scott Larsen said "It is always difficult to make this type of decision. As hard as it is, this was the right thing to do."

Soosha joined the zoo in 1987, and was one of the first Northern Shore residents. Her niece Cranbeary and Cranbeary's mate, Lee, remain residents there.

Polar bears generally live twenty to twenty-five years.