JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An American black bear who's lived at the Jacksonville Zoo for sixteen years was euthanized after veterinary staff found an aggressive and advanced intestinal mass.
Keepers and behavioral observation volunteers noticed 22-year-old Billy's decreased appetite in late April.
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A health exam and ultrasound revealed a large mass in his abdomen.
Due to the poor prognosis, the Zoo decided to euthanize him.
Billy arrived at the Jacksonville Zoo with his mother in 2000.
He came from a zoo in Washington state and was significantly larger than the smaller subspecies of black bears found in Florida.
He recently served as the official tester of the bear-proof latch for Toter and other large garbage bins.
"If Billy couldn’t get in it, you knew it was safe from the bears in the wild!" said the Jacksonville Zoo.
He was known as an easy-going bear and easily learned new behaviors. He was quick to respond to his caregivers for a treat of crickets or frozen grapes.
“Billy was a favorite JZG resident of both staff and guests alike. It is never easy to lose an animal, but knowing Billy lived a long and fulfilled life in our care brings some comfort,” said Tracy Fenn, Supervisor of Mammals.
The Zoo said it plans to honor Billy's memory by completing the exhibit renovations already under way in time for the arrival of another bear needing to be relocated to a care facility.