Rowan Wild euthanizes female black bear

Published 12:00 am Sunday, September 8, 2024

ROWAN COUNTY — Rowan Wild, the nature facility at Dan Nicholas Park, announced the passing of its female black bear Honey on Facebook on Friday.
“It is with much sadness we share the passing of our female bear, known to many as Honey,” the post said.
According to the post, during a recent vet exam, “it was found that Honey was in advanced stages of kidney failure.”
Deciding that it was in the bear’s best interest and keeping her quality of life priority, staff along with the veterinarian team reportedly made the “tough decision” to humanely euthanize her.
Honey first came to Rowan Wild in 2005 at the age of two.
“She had a big personality, loved hard boiled eggs and walnuts, among others things,” the post said. “She especially loved destroying cardboard boxes that her caregivers offered for enrichment.
“Honey has touched many lives during the 19 years at Rowan Wild. She will be dearly missed by many.”
Honey is the second black bear that Rowan Wild has lost this year. Ruff was found to have had a large inoperable mass in his chest cavity. Ruff had also been there for 19 years.