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Senior polar bear at Tacoma's Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium gets clean bill of health

Blizzard is 25-years-old, which is old for a polar bear, but he received a clean bill of health during his routine annual health exam.
Credit: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Katie Cotterill
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's senior polar bear 'Blizzard' gets a routine health exam 3/30/2021 (Photo/Katie Cotterill).

TACOMA, Wash. — A senior polar bear at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma had to go under anesthesia for a routine health exam, and the images are not something we see everyday. 

The polar bear, named Blizzard, came to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium as a cub after being orphaned on the Arctic tundra with no chance of survival in the wild.

Credit: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Katie Cotterill
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's senior polar bear 'Blizzard' gets a routine health exam 3/30/2021 (Photo/Katie Cotterill).

He's now 25, which is old for a polar bear. Zoo officials said their median life expectancy is about 23 years. But luckily, Blizzard is still in good health for his age.

Credit: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Katie Cotterill
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's senior polar bear 'Blizzard' gets a routine health exam 3/30/2021 (Photo/Katie Cotterill).

From X-rays to a teeth cleaning, and even a nail trim, the 900+ pound polar bear received a full work up and a clean bill of health from veterinary staff at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. 

Credit: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Katie Cotterill
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's senior polar bear 'Blizzard' gets a routine health exam 3/30/2021 (Photo/Katie Cotterill).

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