Maine Wildlife Park officials have announced the unexpected loss of their beloved black bear, Luvey.
In a Facebook post, they said one of her keepers observed her eating and behaving normally Wednesday morning. A little while later, the keeper said Luvey suddenly collapsed and passed away within minutes.
The park said a veterinary necropsy will be performed to help determine the cause of her death.
Luvey came to Maine Wildlife Park in 2021 after the wildlife facility where she had been living closed.
Because she was raised in human care, Luvey could not be released into the wild so she was used to teach visitors about her species and about wildlife conservation.
This story appears through a media partnership with Maine Public.