The zoo has let Boyko and Heidi sleep in. Boyko has been living with female Boyana in Anna Paulowna since 2013, after the two were saved from a former hunting station in Bulgaria. Bears used to be bred for the gun hunt.
Due to its difficult start in life, the brown bear always had a vulnerable health. A few months ago, osteoarthritis was established, a painful and permanent wear of the joints. “Lately we were able to offer him support and lighting with medication, but unfortunately his condition has been worse and worse in recent weeks,” the animal park writes up Facebook. “To prevent further suffering, we have had to decide to let him go.”
According to the park, Boyko was a ‘friendly giant’ and a special animal for many of his carers.
Two youngsters stay behind
Also with the health of Lynx Heidi it went bad lately. She suddenly fell ill and had to be examined by a veterinarian. Research showed that she had a serious pleuritis – an inflammation in the chest cavity – probably caused by a wound of a counterpart.
The treatment of pleuritis is intensive and normally consists of rinsing the chest cavity and the administration of antibiotics via an infusion. But this care is not possible with Lynxen. “That is why we unfortunately had to decide to let her sleep in,” Hoenderdaell reports. “This spicy lady will also be very missed.”
However, there is a small bright spot: last year Heidi gave birth to two more youngsters, Hanz and Hanna. The two are doing well and lives with their father Herman, who, according to the park, “lovingly deals with them.”