Two weeks ago, news broke that Inuka, the Singapore Zoo’s last polar bear and the first to be born in the tropics, was in declining health. The 27-year-old senior resident of the zoo had underwent a check-up on Apr. 3, and the results showed a noticeable deterioration in his health.
Concerned for his welfare, crowds of animal lovers visited Inuka over the last two weekends.
Wildlife Reserves Singapore noted that the polar bear’s activity levels had dropped drastically over the past three months, with less frequent swimming sessions and a lower level of interest in his usual daily antics.
Besides his arthritis, dental issues, and occasional ear infections — which are being managed by his keepers — Inuka now shows signs of a stiffer gait, which has caused abrasions on his paw pads, as well as age-related general muscle atrophy.
As such, the animal could possibly be put down on Wednesday if his second medical examination that day shows that he is suffering. So to prepare him for the check-up, the zoo will not allow visitors to see Inuka from tomorrow onwards — meaning today could be your last chance to see the polar bear.
Here’s Wildlife Reserves Singapore’s assistant director of veterinary services Abraham Mathew offering an update on Inuka’s condition.
The medical check-up on Wednesday will assess Inuka’s health to see if the treatments have been helping, as his welfare is “the utmost of our priority”, he said.
However, if Inuka’s condition continues to worsen even with the medication prescribed, then the team will take the next step to let him go in peace.
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