Sun bear put down

A Malayan sun bear who came to Wellington Zoo more than a decade ago after being rescued on the back of a motorbike in Cambodia has died. Sean the sun bear (pictured) was euthanised yesterday after recent deterioration in its health. The 22-year-old bear’s condition was being closely monitored over the last few months, senior vet Baukje Lenting said. “It was obvious his multiple medical problems were compromising his welfare and affecting his quality of life,” she said. Animal care manager Jo Richardson said Sean had been “much loved” by the zoo’s staff and visitors over the past 14 years. Sean was one of the earliest bear rescues for Free the Bears in Southeast Asia. He was rescued from outside a shop in Cambodia almost 21 years ago when an Australian businessman found him chained up in Phnom Penh and took him away on the back of his motorbike. After keeping him for a while at his house, he worked with Free the Bears to find Sean a long-term home.