Buzz, polar bear who was a fixture at Como Park Zoo for nearly 20 years, has died
Como Park Zoo announced on Saturday that polar bear Buzz has died.
According to the zoo, Buzz’s health declined due to suspected neurological issues and after all treatment options were exhausted with the animal care and veterinary team, the zoo decided to euthanize the 24-year-old bear.
"It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of Como’s beloved polar bear, Buzz," the zoo wrote in a social media post.
Buzz and his twin brother Neil were born in December 1995 at the Louisville Zoo and came to Como Zoo in 2001 from San Diego.
They were named for Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.
Buzz enjoyed rolling in the dirt, patrolling the exhibit, and bossing around his brother," the zoo said.
Buzz was also an active participant in the zoo’s operant training conditioning program and was the third polar bear in the county to let zookeepers draw blood — Neil was the second.