Homer the Bear Part 2

Three Animals Dead in a Month at Midland Zoo

First to go was Kenya, a 6-year-old giraffe, broke her neck and died two weeks ago after her horns were caught in a stall.

Last week Regina, a 10-year-old bobcat, passed away from renal failure.

Today, Midland Zoo's oldest polar bear Homer was found dead in the pool of the polar bear exhibit an hour after his first meal of the day.

While zoo director Chris P. Bacon and senior staff veterinarian Dr. Shanda Lear promised to investigate the cause of death, the necropsy results will not be available for several weeks.

Zookeeper Sara N. Getty similarly offered no explanation for the bear's death, but remembered Homer as "very curious and playful."