The 海角社区官网Zoo鈥檚 454-kilogram grizzly bear and longtime resident Samson was bid farewell by zoo staff and Indigenous Knowledge Keepers early Wednesday morning.
海角社区官网Zoo CEO Dolf DeJong said the 25-year-old grizzly, who was humanely euthanized this past Monday, had been an icon at the zoo and formed strong relationships with his team who are now having a difficult time with his loss.
鈥淪amson coming in as a rescue bear was an animal who really captured people鈥檚 hearts and minds,鈥 DeJong said. 鈥淚f you look at the outpouring of love on social media, it鈥檚 really clear that he鈥檚 been one of those Canadian animals who is really synonymous with our site.鈥
He added that Samson鈥檚 team remember him as a gentle and curious bear who was intelligent and motivated to learn new behaviours.
A resident of the zoo since September, 1998 Samson was found in Alaska wandering without his mother and undernourished. He arrived at the 海角社区官网Zoo at six months old and was joined by Shintay, a female grizzly bear in 1999.
Due to his advanced age, Samson had developed fairly serious health problems 鈥 including progressive arthritis in his hips and knees. He awoke from hibernation a few weeks ago and 海角社区官网Zoo director of wildlife health Dr. Nic Masters said Samson was having a tough time moving again.
鈥淯nlike previous years where he鈥檇 been a bit stiff and a bit sore for some weeks perhaps, but OK on pain relief, we just weren鈥檛 able to get him moving again in a way we would like to,鈥 Masters said.
Masters said Samson would typically have been outside exploring his environment but instead he was quiet and 鈥渘ot wanting to move so much.鈥
Samson, who lived at the 海角社区官网Zoo for 25 years after he was found alone and undernourished in Alaska, is remembered as a curious and gentle bear by his team.
TORONTO ZOOHe added that the decision to euthanize Samson was difficult, and his keepers made sure he was as comfortable as possible. On his last day, the big grizzly got lots of attention and special treats including watermelon, salmon, berries and his favourite treat: honey. After enjoying the goodies, Samson voluntarily presented his hip and shoulder for the last anaesthetic injection from his veterinary team 鈥 a routine he practised daily for most of his life.
The farewell led by Indigenous Knowledge Keepers for Samson honoured his spirit and the cultural significance of bears to Indigenous Peoples.
Director of Indigenous relations, Jennifer Franks, said the ceremony 鈥 鈥渂ased on Anishnaabe and Tsimshian teachings, using various medicines, pipe ceremony and songs,鈥 according to a media release 鈥 was an opportunity for Indigenous partners to send Samson back to his ancestors.
Franks added it was important to have Indigenous representation from communities where grizzly bears are present at the ceremony. A media release from the zoo added that Knowledge Keepers shared during the ceremony that this is not a goodbye to Samson but a temporary parting as 鈥渨e will see him on the other side.鈥
鈥淚t was really a ceremony that celebrated Samson but was also supportive of the staff, too, with the grieving process for them to get some closure and through that it was very healing morning for everyone,鈥 Franks added.
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