Victor, the UK's oldest polar bear, has died aged 22.
The bear was living at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster. He had terminal kidney failure and unexpectedly fell ill on Friday, so vets put him to sleep.
Victor was born in Germany's Rostock Zoo before moving to Rhenen in the Netherlands. He fathered 13 cubs as part of the European breeding programme.
After retiring, Victor was moved to Yorkshire in 2014.
The directors of the park thanked the vets from Portland House Veterinary Group who responded so quickly and the “dedicated” team who had “loved and cared” for the bear since he arrived at the park.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park said: “Victor was a great ambassador for his species, inspiring generations and drawing attention to the plight of his species in the wild and the threat of climate change.
"He will be greatly missed by everyone.”
