Inuka, the world’s first polar bear to be born in the tropics, was put down on Wednesday (April 25, 2018) for humane reasons after a second medical examination found the animal to be suffering from ailing health.
PHOTO: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE
The zoo will put up a tribute wall at Inuka’s enclosure from Thursday, along with a private memorial service, for visitors to pen their tributes to the bear.
PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS
Inuka, who would have been well into his 70s in human years, had been suffering from age-related ailments such as arthritis, dental issues and occasional ear infections for the past five years. A medical examination on April 3 had revealed a significant decline in his health. This photo was taken on the bear's 27th birthday.
PHOTO: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE
At 27, Inuka had surpassed the average life expectancy of polar bears, which typically live 15 to 18 years in the wild and 25 years under human care.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Mr Mohan Ponichamy, deputy head keeper at the Singapore Zoo, said: "It has been a privilege and honour being his caregiver. But, difficult as it may be, it would not have been fair to prolong his suffering."
PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) on Wednesday reiterated that Inuka will be Singapore's last polar bear. The zoo had said in 2006 that it would not bring any more polar bears to Singapore, following discussions with its Animal Welfare and Ethics Committee.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Over the years, Singaporeans have watched Inuka grow up and grown fond of the bear. When news of his declining health broke, many people turned up at the zoo to leave cards and letters at his enclosure.
Inuka was born on Dec 26, 1990 to much fanfare after his parents – Nanook and Sheba – were brought to Singapore in 1978. A third bear, Anana, joined Inuka's parents at the Singapore Zoo soon after.
Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) has supported Inuka since his birth. SPH Foundation, the charity arm of SPH, took over the adoption of the bear from 2007. Inuka is Inuit for "Silent Stalker". The name was chosen in a nationwide naming contest, which received more than 10,000 entries.
PHOTO: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE
Inuka’s enclosure will be refurbished and the zoo is thinking of turning it into a sea lion exhibit.
Reporting by Kimberly Chia.
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