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North America's Oldest Captive Polar Bear Dies at Milwaukee County Zoo

The Milwaukee County Zoo in Wisconsin announced the death of its beloved polar bear, Snow Lilly, on Saturday, September 25. “At 36 years old, Snow Lilly was the oldest polar bear in human care in North America,” the zoo said.

This footage shows Snow Lilly on her 36th birthday in early December enjoying two “birthday cakes” – one made with Jell-O and shrimp, and the other with frozen fish and trail mix.

The zoo said Snow Lilly had been humanely euthanized on Friday due to declining health.

The polar bear arrived at the zoo in 2005 from the Bronx Zoo in New York City and quickly “became a favorite” of visitors, zoo officials said. “She enjoyed swimming in her pool and could be seen bouncing a large rubber ball on the bottom of the pool like a basketball,” they wrote. Credit: Milwaukee County Zoo via Storyful