A polar bear considered to be the last in Africa has died at a South African zoo, a couple of months after his long-time mate passed away. “Africa's last polar bear Wang must be put down because of liver and heart failure,” Johannesburg Zoo said in a statement on Wednesday. The bear, considered 28-years-old, stumbled on Johannesburg in 1986, as part of a conservation exchange program with a zoo in Japan. In 2010, Wang was identified as having liver ailments.
“Wang in the recent months was pining the loss of his partner of 27 years GeeBee,” the zoo said. GeeBee died of natural causes on January 12. “In the recent weeks, his days were filled with enrichment programmes and special treats, including his own Valentine’s Day celebration,” the zoo said. The zoo decided not to replace the two animals, who are more suited to colder climates but nevertheless adapted to Johannesburg’s temperatures, which can reach above 30 degrees Celsius.
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