The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Grand old bear Star dies
Camperdown Park announces sudden death of one of oldest residents
One of Camperdown Wildlife Park’s oldest residents passed away suddenly yesterday, with tributes flooding in from devastated Dundonians.
The park announced that 30-year-old European Brown Bear, Star, had died, after 29 years as a Dundeeresident having arrived from Highland Wildlife Park on June 8, 1989.
The park, which has yet to state how the animal died, posted a heartfelt message on its Facebook page.
It said: “With great sadness in our hearts we would
“Star was in her thirties and was loved by everyone”
like you to know that Star, our fabulous old bear, has passed away.
“Star was in her thirties and was loved by everyone who knew her, she will be sadly missed.”
Three new European Brown bears, Brumm, Maja and Brumma, all aged three, had arrived at the park in November 2016 after Star’s companion Comet died suddenly in August.
Thousands of people expressed their sadness upon hearing the news.
Pat Ellison said: “Sad to hear that. She will be missed.”
Pauline Bowman added: “Aww, run free Star. You are with comets now you will be missed. Condolences to all the keepers at the park.”
Conservation group and charity, The Friends of Camperdown Wildlife Centre, added: “It is with great sadness that the Centre have reported the passing of Star our beautiful old lady, who has entertained visitors for 29 years.
“She will be sorely missed not just by us but her erstwhile new colleagues, who she ruled with the grace of an old matriarch.”
The death comes just over three months after the passing of one the centre’s liontailed macaque monkeys.
The attraction shut for three days to allow the monkeys to ‘grieve’ the youngster with heartfelt tributes pouring in from visitors and staff.
The park also had a female brown bear in the 1970s and 1980s, named Jeremy, who died in 1990.
Jeremy had starred in a 1960s advert for cereal Sugar Puffs before arriving at the park after being replaced in the adverts by a cartoon bear.
She had also hit the headlines in 1986 when she bit the arm off 10-year-old Ross Prendergast, who had snuck into the park after hours.