ASHEBORO, N.C. — For the second time in about a week, the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro has lost an iconic animal.
Male polar bear Aquila, 21, was found dead in his off-exhibit holding quarters when keepers arrived for work Tuesday morning.
Zoo Curator Ken Reininger said Aquila showed no previous signs of illness and appeared in good condition when keepers left Monday evening.
An autopsy showed Aquila died from a ruptured stomach, which emptied the stomach's contents into the chest, causing the lungs to collapse.
Senior Veterinarian Dr. Ryan DeVoe said Aquila had suffered from a "diaphragmatic hernia." Part of the stomach had become entrapped in the hernia, causing the stomach to rupture, DeVoe explained.
The polar bear had returned to the N.C. Zoo in April after a two-year stay at the Detroit Zoo.
According to Polar Bears International, polar bears in captivity may live until their mid-to-late 30s. In the wild, the average is 15 to 18 years.
Aquila's death comes one week after the death of male gorilla Nkosi from an unidentified illness.
WSOC
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