April 25, 2017
After Being Separated from Partner, SeaWorld Polar Bear Dies
READ TIME: 2 MIN.
A polar bear at SeaWorld unexpectedly died after she was separated from her longtime female partner, NBC San Diego reports.
SeaWorld San Diego announced Tuesday Szenja passed away at the age of 21. Her death came as a surprise to officials.
Szenja gained national attention last month when nearly 60,000 people signed a petition asking SeaWorld to not separate the polar bear from her longtime partner and companion Snowflake. The two female polar bears have been living together for 20 years. But SeaWorld officials transported Snowfalke to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium for a breeding visit, NBC San Diego reports.
Since her departure, caregivers and veterinary officials noticed Szenja suffered a loss of appetite and energy. They monitored her condition but Szenja suddenly passed away. A necropsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.
"Szenja was a beloved member of our animal family, so this is a very difficult day for all of us," Al Garver, SeaWorld San Diego's vice president of zoological operations, said in a statement. "Szenja not only touched the hearts of those who have cared for her over the last two decades, but also the millions of guests who had the chance to see her in person. We're proud to have been a part of her life and to know that she inspired people from around the world to want to protect polar bears in the wild."
PETA also released a statement, claiming Szenja died of a broken heart.
"After losing her companion of 20 years when SeaWorld shipped Snowflake to the Pittsburgh Zoo in order to breed more miserable polar bears, Szenja did what anyone would do when they lose all hope, she gave up," PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Remain said. "This should be a wake-up call to SeaWorld: Stop breeding and shipping animals around, close the animal exhibits, and retire the animals to sanctuaries."
According to Polar Bears International, the life span of a polar bear ranges between 15 and 18 years in the wild. But scientists have found some polar bears live through their mid 30s.
