Little Rock, Arkansas – On Thursday morning, Ann, the last grizzly resident at the Little Rock Zoo, died in her sleep. According to a news release from the zoo, Ann is believed to have died from heart failure.
The zoo writes:
The passing marks the end of an era for the Zoo and the end of a tale of two nuisance grizzly bears who lived out their lives in Little Rock.
Explaining:
A bulletin from the Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator of the Department of the Interior issued on October 4, 1992 asked if any accredited zoo facility could take two nuisance bears described as “exceptionally beautiful bears with golden fur and dark legs.”
The bears, sisters, were responsible for raiding nearly 20 country camps and trying to get into several tents in Montana. It was noted that the bears got along well with each other and a plea was sent to several zoos with the hope that one could take them in together.
The Little Rock Zoo came to the rescue.
Several months later, Ann and her sister, Nona, arrived at the zoo. The zoo writes of their relationship:
Guests greeted Ann and Nona with a teddy bear parade and the two bears were a favorite for more than three decades. The “grizzly girls” would often be seen placing a paw up against the glass of their enclosure, as if they were reaching out to high-five, and would elicit laughs as they licked the walls. Splashing and playing in their pool was a crowd pleaser. Zoo staff affectionately remember Ann for her sweet personality. One staff member recalls her sleeping with a branch or other outdoor “snuggle log” in her den.
Nona passed away earlier this year after cancer was discovered in her jaw during a dental exam. The bears lived to 33 years of age.
Rest easy Ann.
(Images via Little Rock Zoo Facebook page)
Continue reading: Terrified Dog, Held At Shelter For Months, Tries To Make Himself Invisible
Help Put Animal Abusers Away! Sign A Petition To Fight For Animal Justice.
RIP Ann Bear, just trying to live a bear’s life in an anthropocentric world that has no space and no tolerance for you. Fly free, whole, healthy, and forever Loved. Rest now, beloved, with your sister, Nona, in Perfect Love and Comfort, far from this corrupt, crazy place.
I hope 2 BEARS had long, happy, healthy lives — my heart breaks for Animals who are born into this world and are pushed out due to cruelty, ignorance and immorality.