After a week of end-of-life care, Rizzo the polar bear has died.
Hogle Zoo made the decision Sunday to euthanize 19-year-old Rizzo, who suffered renal failure, a terminal condition in which the kidneys cannot filter waste from the blood.
"We announced her condition yesterday knowing how much she meant to the community," said Erica Hansen, Hogle Zoo community relations manager. "We were hoping we had more time."
Unfortunately, Rizzo's condition started to decline Saturday afternoon and she struggled to keep food down, according to a statement from the zoo.
Veterinarians now will perform a necropsy, or animal autopsy, "to give her a thorough medical work-up and to contribute further to the science and study of the species."
Hansen said she wanted people to know how grateful the zoo staff were for the outpouring of community support, including all the personal memories and photos of Rizzo that people shared on social media.
"It helps the staff so much to know the community supports us in our grieving, too," she said.
Rizzo ended a nine-year polar bear drought for Salt Lake City when the Rocky Shores exhibit opened in 2012. Before Rizzo arrived from the Cincinnati Zoo, Hogle Zoo hadn't housed a polar bear since 2003.
The design of Rocky Shores gave people an underwater vantage to watch Rizzo while she swam, and according to Hansen, Rizzo would swim right up to the glass and "people-watch."
And people loved to watch her, too.
"How do you thank a bear who has brought so much to the lives of so many? ... She just brought so much joy — we will miss her every day."
lturner@sltrib.com
Twitter: @belowthewillow
