Clyde, the male black bear at Great Bend’s Brit Spaugh Zoo, has died.
The bear was put to sleep Sunday. Drs. Mike Malone and Jackie Corbett, veterinarians to the zoo, had performed an emergency surgery last Thursday, but Zoo Director Scott Gregory commented at the time that the procedure was risky and Clyde’s condition, while temporarily stabilized, was critical.
Clyde’s illness became apparent last month. His problem stemmed from a procedure done seven years ago when a problem with his reproductive system required surgery. The procedure was successful for a time, but in July Clyde required emergency surgery. This time, scar tissue from the previous surgery became infected, and his body became toxic as he refused to eat or drink, and was unable urinate.
Yet another surgery was required in July, and Clyde’s condition had improved considerably by the end of the month. He had to be moved to his own enclosure, physically separated from Bonnie, the female black bear, but he could still see and communicate with her, and was eating, climbing on rocks and taking his meds.
His temporary recovery ended last week.
Fans of Clyde and friends of the zoo followed his condition on the zoo’s Facebook page. Trained volunteers were called in last Thursday to help take care of regular zoo chores while staff assisted with the bear’s surgery.
Gregory has often commented that many of the zoo’s animals are elderly, but the bears are not in that category. Zoo staff weren’t sure how old the bear was, but had hoped he would be with them for many more years.
“The zoo is going through a rough time this year with all of our geriatric and sick animals passing, and we sincerely thank you for your patience and support,” Gregory posted on Facebook.