Oregon Zoo mourning loss of "Tasul" the polar bear

Portland, Ore. — The Oregon Zoo is mourning the death of one of the world’s oldest polar bears.

According to the Oregon Zoo, in the arctic, polar bears seldom live past the age of 18. “Tasul” had lived to the ripe-old age of 31. She was just a couple weeks shy of her 32^nd birthday.

During an ultrasound last week, doctors found out Tasul had a cancerous growth that had extensively spread. To prevent her from suffering, staff made the difficult decision to euthanize.

“We know many zoo visitors are grieving along with us right now,” said Nicole Nicassio-Hiskey, the zoo’s senior marine life keeper, who knew the bear for more than 15 years. “Tasul touched a lot of people’s hearts, and she was such a great bear. She helped raise awareness about what’s happening to polar bears in the Arctic, and she helped the scientists who are studying what’s happening there. Wild polar bears are in trouble, and their future depends on all of us working together to combat climate change.”

The zoo said they were disappointed that Tasul will no longer be able to be a “mentor” to 1-year-old Nora, who arrived from the Columbus Zoo this fall.