polar bear

The North Carolina Zoo announced the loss of male polar bear Payton on Oct. 25. Payton was being transferred to the Louisville Zoo in Kentucky as part of a polar bear breeding partnership recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). During the transfer, the care team, which accompanied Payton, performed routine checks on the 1,000-pound bear. Less than two hours into the trip, the team found Payton unresponsive. He was immediately transported to a nearby large animal veterinarian, who confirmed Payton had passed. The bear was returned to the North Carolina Zoo, where a necropsy was conducted by…