This is a press release courtesy of the Oregon Zoo

Homer, a 20-year-old black bear at the Oregon Zoo, was euthanized yesterday after veterinarians determined his quality of life had been severely compromised by advanced age and debilitating arthritis.

"Homer was a wonderful bear," said keeper Virginia Grimley. "The best bear ever. He was relaxed and laid-back. He brought a lot of happiness to the keepers who worked with him."

Homer made his Portland debut in March 2007, when the zoo opened its $2 million Black Bear Ridge exhibit. He was named after Homer, Alaska -- the city where he had been found orphaned as a cub.

"Bears typically live a lot longer in zoos than they do in the wild, so it's pretty common for their joints to wear out," said Mitch Finnegan, zoo veterinarian. "When their pain becomes untreatable, euthanasia is the only humane option."

Homer and his companions, Gerry and Pete, moved to the Oregon Zoo in 2007 after spending several years at Wildlife Images, near Grants Pass. Gerry and Pete remain on exhibit at the zoo.

Homer, who liked to hang out with Pete, was a quick study, according to keepers.

"He was a happy-go-lucky bear," Grimley said. "He took a lot of pleasure in his training and enrichment: tearing up papier-mâché and eating it, bobbing for apples in his pool and generally following you around. He seemed to enjoy interactions with keepers. He would come when you called him."

The black bear is the smallest of the three bear species native to North America, which include the grizzly and the polar bear. An estimated 600,000 black bears inhabit North America. They can grow up to 6 feet long and range from 90 to 400 pounds. They communicate through body and facial expressions, sounds, touch and scent markings.