Snow Lilly, The Oldest Polar Bear In Captivity, Dies At 36

MILWAUKEE, WI — Snow Lilly, the oldest polar bear living in human care in North America, was euthanized at the Milwaukee County Zoo Saturday after her health and quality of life declined, the zoo said in a statement.

The polar bear was 36 when she died, older than the 23.4-year median life expectancy for polar bears in human care, according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Snow Lilly underwent a wellness exam by zoo veterinarians Thursday because of her age. Veterinarians assessed her health while she was under anesthesia and found heart disease and age-related changes.

"Snow Lilly was a visitor favorite at the Zoo and considered one of the iconic animals in the population," zoo Director Amos Morris said. "She will be sorely missed by both staff and visitors. As a geriatric bear, animal care staff closely monitored her and watched for signs of any discomfort or decline in her quality of life."

A necropsy, or an animal autopsy, will be performed on the polar bear to gather information for other polar bears living in human care, the zoo said. Final necropsy results will be released in the coming months.

"Snow Lilly contributed to the conservation of the natural world by acting as an ambassador for her wild counterparts," the zoo said.

Snow Lilly arrived in Milwaukee in 2005 from the Bronx Zoo, zoo officials said. She liked swimming in her pool when temperatures were high in the summer and could often be seen bouncing a large rubber ball on the bottom of the pool like a basketball, keepers said.

A solitary animal, she preferred having the land portion of her habitat to herself to lie in the winter.

Apples, peanut butter and molasses were her favorite treats, zookeepers said. Her milestone birthdays were celebrated with cakes filled with fish, Jell-O and trail mix.