Andean Bear At Racine Zoo Has Died At 31-Years-Old

RACINE, WI — The Racine Zoo said goodbye to a "dear member of its family" last week, an Andean bear named Diamond, the zoo announced Friday in a news release.

Diamond had to be humanely euthanized at age 31 because of complications from cancer. The zoo said those who met Diamond would understand the loss. The bear joined the Racine Zoo in 2004 to breed with Hallie, the zoo said, but tragically, none of their cubs have survived.

Hallie passed in 2015. Diamond called out and searched for her for months after she died, the zoo said.

Nora, who was a bit more feisty than Hallie, was brought in to be Diamond's companion in 2016.

"While love was in the cards for Diamond, Nora preferred the friend zone. They could often be seen sitting next to each other when one was on exhibit and one was in our off-exhibit area, giving each other kisses through the mesh," the Racine Zoo said.

Nora died in 2020 at 28 years old.

Diamond was an expert at puzzle feeders, and loved food, earning him the nickname "garbage disposal."

He survived skin cancer, the laser treatment that came with it, and therapy two times in the past couple of years.

"He was a symbol of strength and perseverance," the zoo said in the news release. "The bond between him and his keepers grew even stronger during these tough times."

Diamond was the third-oldest Andean bear in North American zoos when he died, according to the Racine Zoo.

Diamond's zookeepers will miss the way he ate peanut butter, how he slept with one leg in the air, and the way he would kiss their hands, the zoo said.