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Klondike, called oldest polar bear in US, dies at age 34

In this June 24, 2005 file photo, children visiting the Philadelphia Zoo try to get the attention of Klondike, one of the zoo's two polar bears, as she plays with a ball in the pool of her enclosure. The Philadelphia Zoo says the oldest polar bear in the United States has died. It says Klondike was 34 years old. Klondike was one of the zoo's two polar bears. The zoo announced on its Facebook page Klondike was euthanized Friday morning, Oct. 23, 2015, due to a "recent and substantial decline in her medical condition." It says Klondike had trouble standing and walking and didn't respond to treatment. (AP Photo/Coke Whitworth, File) In this June 24, 2005 file photo, children visiting the Philadelphia Zoo try to get the attention of Klondike, one of the zoo's two polar bears, as she plays with a ball in the pool of her enclosure. The Philadelphia Zoo says the oldest polar bear in the United States has died. It says Klondike was 34 years old. Klondike was one of the zoo's two polar bears. The zoo announced on its Facebook page Klondike was euthanized Friday morning, Oct. 23, 2015, due to a "recent and substantial decline in her medical condition." It says Klondike had trouble standing and walking and didn't respond to treatment. (AP Photo/Coke Whitworth, File)

By Associated Press October 23, 2015 1 min read

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – The Philadelphia Zoo says the oldest polar bear in the United States has died. It says Klondike was 34 years old.

Klondike was one of the zoo’s two polar bears. The zoo announced on its Facebook page Klondike was euthanized Friday morning due to a “recent and substantial decline in her medical condition.” It says Klondike had trouble standing and walking and didn’t respond to treatment.

Zoo officials say Klondike brought joy to the staff and was an “important ambassador to wild polar bears.”

Klondike arrived at the zoo more than 30 years ago.

The zoo’s remaining polar bear, Coldilocks, also is 34 years old and becomes the nation’s oldest polar bear.