Detroit Zoo euthanizes Canadian polar bear found with cancer; rescued from circus in 2002

ROYAL OAK, Mich. – The Detroit Zoo says zookeepers have euthanized a female Canadian polar bear that had been rescued from a circus after it came down with cancer.

The zoo in suburban Royal Oak says the 27-year-old bear known as Barle (BEHR’-lah) was put to death Wednesday after a physical exam discovered tumors in its abdomen.

The zoo says polar bears generally live 15-18 years in the wild and 25-35 years in zoos.

The zoo says zookeepers noticed changes in Barle’s behaviour, including decreased appetite.

Barle was born in the wild in Manitoba and captured as a cub. It spent most of its life as a performing circus bear.

The zoo says Barle was rescued from the Suarez Brothers Circus in Puerto Rico and brought to the zoo in 2002.

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