The SeaWorld Orlando zoo team announced with heavy hearts that Johnny, the park's 24-year-old polar bear, passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2014.
A spokesperson for SeaWorld said Johnny was undergoing a scheduled physical examination. They say the procedure went well, and there were no unexpected problems while he was under anesthesia.
Attending veterinarians believe Johnny may have suffered from cardiac arrest during his recovery, but won't know for sure until a complete necropsy is done. The results of the necropsy should be received in six to eight weeks.
Offials said while Johnny did experience several progressive conditions caused by old age, his death was unexpected.
“Johnny was a part of our animal family,” said Mike Boos, SeaWorld Orlando’s vice president of zoological operations. “He’s been in our care since he arrived in 1995 and a number of our team members have cared for him during that entire time. They’re feeling the loss, in much the same way a family does when they lose an older pet. Johnny enhanced the awareness of polar bears to millions and millions of SeaWorld Orlando fans and visitors; he’ll be missed by our guests and team members.”
According to the National Wildlife Federation, polar bears can live up to 30 years in the wild, though few make it to 25.