Britain’s oldest polar bear ‘Victor’ dies aged 22 at Yorkshire Wildlife Park
- Oldest polar bear in Britain dies aged 22 after suddenly falling ill in wildlife park
- He had terminal kidney failure and after he suddenly fell ill vets put him to sleep
- Victor was rehomed in Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster in 2014
Britain’s oldest polar bear has died aged 22 after falling ill on Friday.
The animal, named Victor, was living at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster after being moved from various zoos in Europe.
He had terminal kidney failure and after he suddenly fell ill, vets put him to sleep.
The animal, named Victor, was living at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster after being moved from various zoos in Europe
Victor was born at Rostock Zoo in Germany, before moving to Rhenen in the Netherlands.
After he retired from the European breeding programme, he was rehomed in Yorkshire in 2014. He fathered 13 cubs during his time in the breeding programme.
The directors of the park thanked the team of vets from Portland House Veterinary Group who responded so quickly and the ‘dedicated’ team who had ‘loved and cared’ for the bear since his arrival.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park said: ‘Victor was a great ambassador for his species, inspiring generations and drawing attention to the plight of his species in the wild and the threat of climate change. He will be greatly missed by everyone.’
The animal, named Victor, was living at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster after being moved from various zoos in Europe