Polar bear dies suddenly at Reid Park Zoo
Web Producer: Taylor Avey
TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - A female polar bear was found dead at the Reid Park Zoo.
Zookeepers discovered 17-year-old polar bear "Snow" dead Monday morning, according to Vivian VanPeenen, curator of education for the Reid Park Zoo.
VanPeenen says Snow was discovered first thing in the morning by her zookeeper. She was in her normal sleeping position and location, with no signs of trauma.
According to zoo veterinarian Dr Alexis Moreno, Snow has had a number of health problems throughout her life but there were no immediate concerns, as she was swimming and eating well Sunday.
Pathologists plan to conduct a full necropsy to try and determine how Snow died, but Moreno says a cause of death may be hard to identify.
The zoo's general curator, Jim Schnormeier, says the loss of Snow was unexpected and she will be missed.
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