Charlie Chuckkui, the beloved rescued bear who lived at Kui Buri National Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, died mysteriously in his cage this morning.
Saroj Chanlat, head of Animal Health for the Livestock Department, broke the news to the public that Charlie was found dead with foam at his mouth today. The three-year-old bear was reportedly in good health and had a normal appetite prior to his death.
The department suspects that Charlie was bitten by a poisonous animal.
Charlie was rescued when he was attacked by dogs near a pineapple farm in Kui Buri district three years ago. He was only two months old and weighed just five kilograms when a park official found him, Daily News reported.
They assumed he became separated from his mother.
The bear was put in captivity since he was diagnosed with epilepsy and it was deemed that he needed to be on medication.
Charlie was always a happy bear. He was named after Charyl Chappuis, a heartthrob Thai-Swiss football player.
On his Facebook page, which has nearly 15,000 likes, officials occasionally posted photos of him playing with toys, interacting with his caretakers, and — mostly — eating.
The bear’s remains were sent to Kasetsart University Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Hua Hin for an autopsy.
