Singapore-born polar bear Inuka’s skeletal remains to be preserved for education purposes
Inuka’s mother Sheba’s remains are already on private display at the Singapore Zoo
By Victor Loh
The skeletal remains of Singapore’s last polar bear, Inuka, will be preserved for educational purposes, the Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) said in response to media queries.
WRS did not specify when the remains will be put up, or whether it will be available for public display.
The remains of his mother, Sheba, is currently in a private display at the Singapore Zoo, also for educational purposes. Her remains were preserved by a taxidermist following her death in 2012.
Sharing the results of Inuka’s autopsy on Monday, WRS said it confirmed earlier prognosis by veterinarians that the 27-year-old polar bear, who was put down on April 25 due to his ailing health, was suffering from irreversible age-related ailments including arthritis and ailing limbs, which resulted in a stiffer gait.
“This in turn caused ulcerations on his pads that led to deeper infection between his toes,” a WRS spokesman said.
The gait was especially apparent on Inuka’s hind limbs, the zoo revealed earlier, and the bear who was born in Singapore Zoo had specific painkillers and antibiotics added to his daily care regime, on top long-term glucosamine and anti-inflammatory treatment for his arthritis.