• Media Releases

  • Sea-Lion Pup
  • Northern Beaches schools join Taronga to help penguins

• The Zoo

  • Series 1
  • Series 2

19 January 2009

Photo: Bobby-Jo Vial

Taronga’s giant Kodiak Bear ‘Bethyl’ is celebrating her 32nd birthday, making her one of the oldest of her species in the world.

Bethyl has won the hearts of many keepers and visitors over the years and as a special birthday treat was given a large Atlantic Salmon to feast on.

Taronga Zoo’s Senior Carnivore keeper, Deb Olsen, said: “Many of the keepers have a soft spot for this old bear and Australian Mammal Keeper, Lyn Sehlin made a special trip to the fish markets this morning to pick up her favourite delicacy. Within minutes she’d polished off the entire fish with her sharp teeth and long claws, just like she would in the wild.”

Bethyl is particularly special, being the only Kodiak Bear on display in Australasia. She was born in Colorado Springs, 17 January 1977. Until early last year she lived alongside her sister Cynthia. Sadly the difficult decision was made to humanely put Cynthia to sleep as her quality of life had significantly deteriorated due to arthritis and various age related illnesses.

“Both girls have led remarkably long lives thanks to the abundance of fresh food and the expert care from keepers and veterinarian staff. In the wild they normally live to 25 years of age, so in bear terms she’d definitely be up for a telegram from the Queen.”

To help Bethyl adjust to the loss of her sister, she has received extra enrichment and companionship from her keepers.

“We’ve increased the amount of time we spend with her and she has extra training sessions to keep her occupied. We encourage her to move logs around her home which is a natural behaviour, and now we are teaching her to paint, she is quite the budding artist.”

Bethyl arrived with Cynthia at Taronga Zoo from Adelaide Zoo in 1985. Bethyl lives in Bear Canyon which was renovated in 2000 to accommodate aging bears. The exhibit features graduated steps to aid movement, and heat rocks have been placed throughout the exhibit to help keep their joints warn and nibble during the winter months.

“We are delighted Bethyl has reached this grand old age and apart from some mild arthritis she is doing very well for an old lady,” said Deb.

Bethyl is fed seven times during the day, ensuring that she keeps her joints moving and at the same time, providing exercise to strengthen her old muscles. For extra care in her twilight years she’s also been made more comfortable during the night with warm padded bedding made from sacks and straw to sleep on.

Kodiak Bears are the largest of the three sub-species of Grizzly or Brown Bear and the largest living land carnivore. This species of bear can stand up to three meters tall and weigh approximately 780kg. They are found only in three islands, Kodiak, Afognak and Shuyak off Alaska.