Houston Zoo announces death of Patty, beloved Andean bear

(Houston Zoo)

HOUSTON – The Houston Zoo announced on Wednesday that it had euthanized its Andean bear named Patty due to cancer.

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The bear was 31 years old.

The Houston Zoo wrote on its blog, “Patty suffered from allergies much of her life which resulted in thinning hair, but the keepers who spent their lives caring for Patty gave her local honey which helped her allergies.  One and a half years ago, Patty was found to have cancer that the zoo’s veterinarians removed, however, this week during an exam, her cancer was found to have returned and spread. Due to her advanced age, and the progression of the cancer, the animal care team made the decision to euthanize Patty.

“Patty’s keepers will remember her relaxed personality and for how much she seemed to like building and fluffing nests out of sheets and wood wool, so she could find the perfect sleeping or napping position.”

The zoo wrote that Andean bears are native to South America and live to be in the mid-20s in human care.