Devastated staff at the zoo in the western city of Poznań announced on Friday that despite care and medication, years of abuse at the circus had finally taken its toll on the 12-year-old animal.
Writing on Facebook, staff said: “Baloo, the brown bear, is dead. In recent weeks, his condition unfortunately worsened.
“His circus past was making itself felt, despite medications, treatments and the work of caretakers and veterinarians.
“We kept hoping that things would get better. Sadly...”.
The post added: “After X-rays, it was decided not to wake him up from the anesthetic and not to subject him to further suffering.
“Baloo died peacefully. Balutku, we will miss you very much. Goodbye, our love.”
Baloo, niedźwiedź brunatny, nie żyje. Miał dwanaście lat. Trafił do Nowego ZOO w Poznaniu w 2016 roku, po interwencji...
Opublikowany przez Zoo Poznań Official Site Piątek, 20 września 2024
Baloo was saved in 2016 from a circus in southern Poland following a joint intervention by the Viva Foundation, an organization that rescues animals from abusive situations, and local police.
Although he never performed in the circus, he endured years of hardship, confined to a small trailer and deprived of proper veterinary care.
Due to his cramped living conditions, Baloo developed severe psychological trauma, often hitting his head and paws against the bars of his enclosure.
The lack of adequate veterinary care also caused physical deformities that led to lifelong mobility issues.
When he was rescued, Baloo was missing all his claws and most of his teeth, and his joints had become so damaged that part of his toes had to be amputated.
Fans mourn Baloo’s loss
The zoo has now been flooded with messages of condolence from heartbroken followers.
One commentator said: “Making the decision to euthanize, even though it is so painful, is in my opinion the greatest expression of love for a sick Animal.
“Goodbye Baloo, we can only apologize to you for meeting vile people on your path who caused you suffering in your youth.
“I hope that your stay at the ZOO, although it may not have been ideal, gave you a taste of freedom and a good life. I thank Baloo’s caregivers for their care.”
Another posted: “My Baloo. I remember when he was brought to the zoo and how traumatized he was by what he had experienced early on. At least his last years were beautiful.”
Yet another wrote: “My heart is broken! The only consolation is that he spent his last years in good conditions surrounded by the care of people for whom he was important. Goodbye...”.
