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Thursday, May 23, 2013 | 4:20 a.m.

Updated: 10:58 a.m. Friday, Dec. 31, 2010 | Posted: 1:46 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010

Sloth Bear Dies At Woodland Park Zoo



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Agnes Overbaugh/Woodland Park Zoo

SEATTLE —

Medina, the 20-year old female sloth bear that arrived in Seattle in 2008, died Wednesday morning, according to a press release from the Woodland Park Zoo.

The zoo says the sloth died during a health examination after keepers noticed symptoms of decreased appetite and lethargy. Soon after the bear was immobilized by anesthesia for the exam, the bear’s heart stopped and could not be revived. A postmortem examination at the zoo revealed liver cancer that had spread to nearby tissue.

“The cancer we discovered in this bear is known to be a leading cause of death in older aged sloth bears,” said Dr. Darin Collins, the zoo’s animal health director.

The final cause of death is pending complete results of postmortem testing.

Randy, a 14-year-old male sloth bear, remains on exhibit at the zoo.

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