Melbourne Zoo A Tribute to Roan the Brown Bear

R

Robyn

Member
Just wanted to say how sorry I am about the loss of Melbourne Zoo's lovely boy, Roan the Syrian Brown Bear. He had been at the zoo for 25 years!! I'm sure his keepers and his mate Honey will miss him terribly!
Robyn
 
23/9/10 Tribute to Roan - Zoos Victoria
23/9/10
Many Zoo visitors during the past 25 years would have had the pleasure of seeing Roan, the male Syrian Brown Bear, who arrived from his birthplace in Adelaide Zoo in 1985.

Unfortunately Roan's health had deteriorated in recent months, and he was euthanased on Saturday September 18 due to a chronic spinal condition.

Zoos Victoria's Senior Veterinarian Dr. Helen McCracken said that ‘We had been observing Roan closely since he had an episode in April which affected his back legs.

‘We were treating him with anti-inflammatory medication, which worked well. On Friday morning he couldn't get up and he didn't improve after we provided him with pain relief.

‘We knew that he had had a good quality of life and that we wouldn't be able to fix the chronic spinal problem consistent with old age. As he would not be able to walk again the most humane course of action was to euthanize him.'

Roan was born at Adelaide Zoo on July 9th, 1985, and arrived at Melbourne Zoo as a cub in November that year. He came here with his brother and sister, both now deceased.

Roan is survived by his mate Honey, who was born at Tierpark Dahlholzli in Bern, Switzerland on in May 1987.

Carnivore Supervisor John Warriner says ‘Some of us have worked with Roan for many years, and we will really miss him. All Zoo staff, FOTZ members, and frequent visitors responded to Roan's character.'
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One of my favourite individual animals at Melbourne. Very sad. :(

I worry how being alone will affect Honey. She has always seemed less "well adjusted" in captivity. She spends much of her time at the (closed) door to her night quarters, wanting to get in. She also paces quite a lot.
 
CGSwans said:
One of my favourite individual animals at Melbourne. Very sad. :(

I worry how being alone will affect Honey. She has always seemed less "well adjusted" in captivity. She spends much of her time at the (closed) door to her night quarters, wanting to get in. She also paces quite a lot.
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couldn't agree more, one of my favourites too.
I wonder whether honey will experience any phsycological trauma due to the loss of her friend that has lived with her for ages? :(
 
I went to the Melbourne Zoo yesterday. Saw Honey and she did look lost. Walking up and down constatntly. She did look sad. Made me cry, poor sweetheart! On a brighter note, the 4 tiger cubs and 2 baby elephants were delightful. So cute!
 
I'm glad I got a chance to visit the zoo about a month ago and see Roan. I don't go down Melbourne way often. I also got a chance to see Mali and the four cubs but was too early to catch the new baby elephant.
 
TRIBUTE TO ROAN

THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME KNOW ABOUT ROAN HE BE SADLY MISSED BY EVERYBODY ESPECIALY HIS KEEPER'S AND HONEY THE FEMALE SYRIAN BEAR,HE WAS A BEAUTIFUL ANIMAL I WILL MISS HIM ALOT,LETS HOPE HONEY DOESN'T GET TO LONELY I AM SURE HER KEEPER'S WILL LOOK AFTER HER,RIP ROAN
 
When I saw these bears many years ago now at Melbourne there were the three adult siblings, two brothers and sister.

When was the female 'Honey' acquired- was it after the other two siblings died?
 
Am not sure how long she has been at the zoo for. I know she is about 23 yers old. Have looked on the web and can't seem to find out when she first came to Melbourne Zoo. Will email zoo to find out as I am curious too.
 
Honey at Melbourne Zoo

I have found out from the zoo that Honey the Syrian bear came from Switzerland in 1987. She has been with Roan over 20yrs and they had 2 cubs together.
 
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