Oldest Asiatic black bear in human care dies at Colorado zoo

A 32-year-old Asiatic black bear that had lived at Colorado’s Cheyenne Mountain Zoo since she was a cub was euthanized on Sunday, zoo officials said.

Beezler and her sister, Honey, arrived at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in 1994, according to a news release from the zoo. Honey died in 2022, but Beezler celebrated her 32nd birthday in January, becoming the oldest living Asiatic black bear in human care in the United States.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo staff described Beezler as “a celebrated member of the community” and “sweet, confident and patient — with a side of respectable sass.”

She surpassed the American Zoo Association’s median life expectancy by three years, zoo officials said.

In human years, Beezler was in her 90s.

“It seems like she only turned ‘old’ really recently,” Jessi Palmer, a Rocky Mountain Wild animal keeper, said in a statement. “She was still so mentally sharp, observant and engaged. It’s like we knew she was old, but she didn’t believe it. I think many people who are aging related to her and were inspired by her. She just kept going.”

Just six months after her birthday party, Beezler had a different kind of celebration that zoo officials called her “Last Best Day.” The elderly bear spent Sunday relaxing in the sunshine and enjoying cookies, whipped cream, muffins and meatballs.

“It may sound strange, but we work hard and have hours of discussions to make sure we’re giving each animal its Last Best Day,” Cheyenne Mountain President and CEO Bob Chastain stated in the zoo’s news release. “…The team was able to achieve that peaceful passing for Beezler, and that’s comforting to all of us. She’ll be deeply missed.”

Animal keepers who worked with Beezler remembered the bear fondly and said she continued to surprise them, even in her 30s.

One Rocky Mountain Wild animal keeper, Kelsey Walker, said the team was delivering enrichment items into Beezler’s outdoor area by zipline when it got stuck.